Khondrion appoints Rob van Maanen as Chief Medical Officer

NIJMEGEN, the Netherlands – Wednesday February 5th, 2020: Khondrion, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company discovering and developing therapies targeting mitochondrial disease, today announces the appointment of Dr Rob van Maanen as Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Dr van Maanen joins the leadership team of Khondrion at a crucial time in the company’s progress developing its proprietary pipeline and will oversee the clinical development of lead asset, Sonlicromanol, a potentially first-in-class oral small molecule which entered phase IIb development last month to treat a range of mitochondrial diseases. He will also oversee the broader clinical strategy and medical operations for the company.

Dr. Rob van Maanen said: “This is an exciting time to join Khondrion as it progresses its pipeline in mitochondrial disease. The company’s journey so far, bringing lead asset, Sonlicromanol, all the way through discovery to phase IIb development within just seven years, is truly remarkable. Khondrion’s pipeline also offers possibilities in the treatment of other serious diseases with high unmet need and I look forward to being part of a team whose research offers such potential to improve outcomes for patients.”

Dr. van Maanen is a specialist in pharmaceutical medicine having previously held positions at major pharmaceutical companies including Astellas, Eisai and Roche.  He brings over 20 years’ experience in strategic and operational global drug development, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance and regulatory experience. He has a Medical Degree from the University of Utrecht, Specialist certification in Pharmaceutical Medicine from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, UK and obtained his Master of Business Administration from the University of Amsterdam.

Prof. Dr. Jan Smeitink, Chief Executive Officer at Khondrion, said: "We are delighted to welcome Rob to the Khondrion team. With this appointment we are preparing the company for late stage development of the pipeline and the expansion of our clinical capabilities, which are important in helping us to accomplish our mission of bringing clinically meaningful medicines to patients living with devastating mitochondrial diseases. I would like to thank Edwin Spaans, who served as our CMO until recently, for all his work assisting us in bringing our lead asset towards its phase 2b development."