Chromocell Appoints Heikki Mansikka, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President Of Clinical Development
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., May 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chromocell Corporation, a life sciences company focused on the discovery and development of therapeutics and flavors using its pioneering Chromovert® technology, today announced the appointment of Heikki Mansikka, M.D., Ph.D. as Vice-President, Clinical Development. Dr. Mansikka will be principally responsible for guiding clinical development of the Company's investigational therapeutics to treat neuropathic and other pain conditions. Dr. Mansikka will report to Dr. Kenneth Kashkin, Chromocell's Chief Operating Officer.
"We are pleased to welcome Heikki and his established track record of successful drug development, as well as his extensive background in pain management and pain research," said Christian Kopfli, Chromocell's Chief Executive Officer. "Heikki's expertise will be a great asset as we advance our lead candidate CC8464/ASP1807 for the management of neuropathic pain."
Dr. Mansikka brings significant and relevant experience to Chromocell, having served as medical director at AbbVie across multiple therapeutic areas, including pain management. In his role at AbbVie, Dr. Mansikka provided strategic oversight for multiple preclinical-stage, small molecule compounds across the spectrum of pain management. This work enabled the advancement of multiple candidates into clinical testing. Dr. Mansikka also led cross-functional development, evaluation, and clinical validation of various translational tools supporting the Company's pain portfolio. Dr. Mansikka was also responsible for leading clinical development of multiple assets targeting immune mediated inflammatory diseases.
Before his tenure at AbbVie, Dr. Mansikka held positions of increasing responsibility at several biopharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Mundipharma Research Limited, and Grünenthal. In these roles, he made impactful contributions across many functions, including clinical research, regulatory and commercial, spanning multiple therapeutic areas. Dr. Mansikka has experience from all phases of drug development from translational medicine up to Phase III leading clinical development program through approval.
Dr. Mansikka has specialist training in Anesthesiology and Pain Management and has authored more than 30 publications in the areas of pain and inflammation research. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Helsinki, Finland, and completed his post-doctoral research at Johns Hopkins University.
About CC8464/ASP1807
Chromocell's lead compound, CC8464 (Astellas' Development Code:ASP1807), is an oral, potent, highly selective, peripherally-restricted inhibitor of NaV1.7, which is believed to be efficacious in the treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. NaV1.7 is an ion channel, involved in pain transmission. CC8464 was developed using Chromocell's proprietary drug discovery platform, Chromovert®. This technology enables the company to identify rare cells suited for effective high-throughput screening resulting in the discovery of promising drug candidates.
About Chromocell Corporation
Chromocell is a life sciences company which improves consumer products and patient lives through breakthrough science and technologies. Chromocell is focused on the discovery and development of therapeutics and flavors through the use of pioneering Chromovert® technology. Chromovert® technology enables Chromocell to use rare cells ideally suited for effective high-throughput screening. Chromocell's therapeutics pipeline is currently focused on analgesics and rare diseases, where Chromovert® technology has proven highly effective in the rapid identification of potential new drug candidates, as well as discovery and development of novel flavor ingredients and natural taste enhancers. For more information, please visit our website at www.chromocell.com.
Contacts:
Russo Partners
Alex Fudukidis
Tel.: +1 646 942 5632
E-mail: alex.fudukidis@russopartnersllc.com
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SOURCE Chromocell Corporation
