Asceneuron SA, a prominent clinical-stage biotech company specializing in combating the root causes of neurodegenerative diseases, has proudly announced the appointment of Abbas Hussain as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. Bringing over 35 years of invaluable experience in the healthcare industry, Abbas Hussain is poised to steer Asceneuron through its next phase of growth and expedite the development of its promising O-GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitors.
Abbas Hussain boasts a remarkable career with a wealth of experience spanning more than three decades. Having played pivotal roles in various global pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmithKline and Eli Lilly, Hussain has garnered extensive expertise across the pharmaceutical value chain. His leadership positions, including President of Global Pharmaceuticals at GlaxoSmithKline and President of Europe at Eli Lilly, underscore his profound impact on the industry. Notably, he served as the CEO of Vifor Pharma, contributing to its acquisition by CSL Limited in a landmark $11.7 billion deal in 2022.
Transition in Leadership
Henrijette Richter, Managing Partner of Sofinnova Partners and Vice Chair of Asceneuron’s Board of Directors, expressed gratitude to Peter Van Vlasselaer for his expert guidance over the past five years. The appointment of Abbas Hussain marks a strategic move as Asceneuron enters a pivotal time of transition and growth.
Barbara Angehrn Pavik, CEO of Asceneuron, highlighted the recent strides in neurodegeneration therapies, reigniting interest and excitement in this challenging field. The company sees Abbas Hussain’s appointment as a timely addition, with his extensive experience contributing to the advancement of Asceneuron’s lead clinical OGA inhibitors into the next stage of development for the benefit of patients.
Abbas Hussain’s Vision
Abbas Hussain expressed enthusiasm for joining Asceneuron at a crucial juncture, commending the tremendous advances in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. He emphasized Asceneuron’s role in developing potentially transformative therapies that could significantly impact disease progression.
Asceneuron’s evolving pipeline is dedicated to addressing the urgent medical needs associated with neurodegenerative proteinopathies, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. With a focus on OGA inhibitors, Asceneuron’s proprietary clinical pipeline includes ASN90 and ASN51, demonstrating potential as groundbreaking solutions to halt disease progression in neurodegenerative diseases.
The appointment of Abbas Hussain as Board Chair positions Asceneuron for a dynamic phase of innovation and growth. With his extensive industry knowledge, Asceneuron aims to navigate the complexities of neurodegenerative diseases, providing hope for millions globally. The company’s presence at the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in January 2024 signals its commitment to advancing neurodegenerative therapies on a global stage.