Wilson Therapeutics Appoints Hans Schikan to its Board of Directors
STOCKHOLM, July 2, 2015 (PR NEWSWIRE) – Wilson Therapeutics AB, a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, today announced the appointment of Hans Schikan to its board of directors. The appointment was approved by the shareholders during the Annual General Meeting on June 30.
“We are delighted to welcome Hans to Wilson’s board of directors,” said Jonas Hansson, CEO of Wilson Therapeutics. “Hans brings significant global biopharmaceutical industry experience to Wilson, and we look forward to his contributions to the Company.”
Hans Schikan is a pharmacist trained at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Until very recently he was CEO of Prosensa, an RNA-modulating company developing novel therapies for rare neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders, which successfully completed an IPO on the US Nasdaq exchange before being acquired by BioMarin for up to $840 million. Mr Schikan is also a board member of SOBI, Hansa Medical and of the Dutch Top Sector Life Sciences & Health. He was previously a member of the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s Emerging Companies Section Governing Board and is past Chairman of Nefarma, the industry association for the Dutch branches of innovative pharmaceutical companies. Before Prosensa he held various senior management positions at Organon and Genzyme.
“I am delighted to join Wilson during such an exciting time in the Company’s development,” said Mr. Schikan. “I look forward to leveraging my experience developing innovative products to help Wilson make a difference in the lives of people with rare diseases.”
About Wilson’s Disease Wilson’s Disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, resulting in deficient production of the copper-transporter ATPase-2. Deficient or absent production of ATPase-2 leads to impaired incorporation of Cu into ceruloplasmin and impairment of biliary Cu excretion, which allows copper to accumulate in the body. The build-up of copper in liver, brain, kidneys and other tissues of Wilson’s Disease patients produces significant organ damage and dysfunction. Untreated or inadequately treated Wilson’s Disease can result in brain damage, liver failure and death. The overall prevalence of Wilson’s Disease is estimated to be 1-2 in 30,000 individuals.
About Wilson Therapeutics Wilson Therapeutics is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of patients with Wilson’s Disease through development of new treatment options and support for increased awareness and education about Wilson’s Disease. The Company’s lead product candidate, WTX101, is currently in clinical development as a treatment for Wilson’s Disease. Investors in Wilson Therapeutics include Abingworth, HealthCap, MVM Life Science Partners and NeoMed. Visit www.wilsontherapeutics.com for more information.
Contact:
Jonas Hansson
CEO
+46709441877
OR
Ami Knoefler
Spark BioComm LLC
+ 1 650 739 9952
Source: Wilson Therapeutics
