Cereno Scientific has initiated a phase II clinical study with the lead candidate CS1 in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study uses a new treatment method with epigenetic modulation through histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition. Read more about the concept here.
The Phase II study is still in its early stages and later today – Friday, February 25 – Cereno is planning a webcast to provide investors and financial analysts with the latest updates on the study. The webcast will be hosted by Cereno’s CEO Sten R. Sörensen and CMO Dr. Bjorn DahlofThey will also be joined by the study's principal investigator, Dr. Raymond Benza, as well as Dr. Philip Adamson, who is Vice President and CMO of Abbott's heart failure business, Cereno's study collaborator. For more information about the webcast, read here.
May have three clinical programs by 2023
The start of the Phase II study is a major milestone for the Swedish biotechnology company, whose goal is to develop new and better treatments for cardiovascular disease. Against this background, Cereno Scientific, in addition to trying to validate CS1's clinical potential in PAH, has also laid the foundation for an expanded pipeline and to diversify its project portfolio. Through a collaboration with Dr. Michael Holinstat vid University of Michigan is currently evaluating the potential of two preclinical programs: CS585 and CS014Read the latest updates about these programs. here.
The goal for both programs is to advance drug candidates to clinical Phase I studies after a 24-month preclinical evaluation period that began in the second quarter of 2021. In other words, Cereno aims for specific drug candidates from these programs to initiate Phase I clinical studies in 2023.
New Head of Clinical Operations
As part of this effort, the company has taken steps to strengthen its research and development (R&D) team. The preclinical R&D side was already strengthened when Cereno added Dr. Holinstat as Director of Translational Research in May 2021. This week, with the aim of further strengthening clinical development, it has appointed Fredrik Frick to Head of Clinical Operations.
Frick received his doctorate in medical physiology/endocrinology from University of Gothenburg and has 17 years of experience working on AstraZeneca with early to late-stage drug development including preclinical target identification, clinical drug discovery and clinical trial management and execution. In his new role, he will be responsible for all of Cereno's clinical activities and lead the preparation and execution of the company's international clinical development programs.
Sten R. Sörensen commented on the new addition to the team and what it means for the company's development:
»The development of our pipeline is a critical success factor for Cereno in fulfilling our vision – to make innovative medicines available to patients with rare and common cardiovascular diseases. It is therefore very pleasing that we have been able to complement and strengthen our management team with even more leading expertise and experience in this area. I am convinced that Fredrik, with his documented experience in all aspects of drug development, will be a very good addition to the team.«
Joining an experienced team
Frick will begin his new role by May of this year, and he will join a team that already brings expertise and commitment to the CVD field. In addition to a qualified management team and a highly experienced board, Cereno has assembled a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of internationally recognized, high-profile CVD experts. The Company’s SAB includes Dr. Raymond Benza, who is leading the Phase II study with CS1. Read more about the Company’s SAB here.
With the latest addition to the company's team, Cereno will be better equipped in its quest to reach three clinical programs by 2023.