Hansa Biopharma appoints new CSO

Shares of Swedish enzyme technology firm Hansa Biopharma (STO: HNSA) were up 3% at 43.82 kronor, after it announced the appointment of Dr Hitto Kaufmann as its chief scientific officer (CSO) effective December 1, 2023.

As CSO, Dr Kaufmann will be responsible for all research, early development, translational and manufacturing activities. He will report to president and chief executive Søren Tulstrup and serve as a member of Hansa’s executive committee.

Dr Kaufmann most recently served as CSO of US clinical-stage biotech Pieris Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PIRS), a post he held since 2019. He led the company’s R&D platform developing innovative next generation protein therapeutics leading to regulatory submissions across several indications. He played an integral role in transforming the company’s operational excellence including accelerated development paths, machine-learning driven R&D and reliable high-performance manufacturing as well as delivery. Pieris recently initiated a corporate restructuring that will result in a reduction of the company's workforce by about 70%.