San Diego, CA, June 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prosensa Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: RNA) the Dutch biopharmaceutical company focusing on rare diseases with a high unmet medical need, today announced that Hans GCP Schikan, Chief Executive Officer of Prosensa, has been appointed to the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) Emerging Companies Section Governing Board.
“As a global expert in rare diseases and with invaluable experience steering a company from early stage through to a publicly listed company nearing commercialization, we welcome Mr. Schikan to BIO’s board. His expertise in these areas, together with his pioneering experience in the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) space, will prove essential as we continue to work with regulators globally to expedite treatment options for major unmet medical needs,” said Cartier Esham, BIO’s Executive Vice President of Emerging Companies.
In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Prosensa, Mr. Schikan also serves as Non-executive Director of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum A.B., Executive Board Member of the Dutch Top Institute Pharma, and Member of the Core Team of the Dutch Top Sector Life Sciences & Health. He is also past Chairman of Nefarma, the Dutch Association of Research Based Pharmaceutical Industry.
“I am delighted to be joining the BIO Emerging Companies Section Governing Board and work alongside other industry leaders to continue to advance the biotechnology industry”, said Mr. Schikan.
“BIO’s work is crucial to helping emerging companies thrive in this challenging space. The work BIO has accomplished in recent years with significant contributions to the JOBS Act and FDASIA have enabled innovators like Prosensa to more easily access the capital markets and work more collaboratively with regulators. I look forward to drawing from my experience to continue to promote innovation for the benefit of patients and industry,” he said.
Notes to editors
About Hans GCP Schikan, Chief Executive Officer
Hans Schikan, 55, has served as Chief Executive Officer of Prosensa N.V. since January 2009. Mr. Schikan has more than 25 years of senior managerial experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. From May 2004 until January 2009, Mr. Schikan worked at Genzyme Corporation in various executive roles, including Vice President of Global Marketing and Strategic Development for its rare genetic disease franchise. In this position he oversaw the launch of various orphan drugs globally. Prior to Genzyme, Mr. Schikan worked at Organon International from 1986 to 2004 in various senior business roles across different geographies, including managing director positions in multiple countries. Mr. Schikan also serves as Non-executive Director of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum A.B., Executive Board Member of the Dutch Top Institute Pharma, and Member of the Core Team of the Dutch Top Sector Life Sciences & Health. He is also past Chairman of Nefarma, the Dutch Association of Research Based Pharmaceutical Industry. Mr. Schikan holds a Pharm.D. degree from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands.
