GENEVA, June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Release Therapeutics ('Release Tx' or
'the Company'), a privately-held, Swiss BioMedTech company, announced today the
appointment of Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, as CEO. The appointment follows the
recent strategic pivot of Release Tx (formerly, 'MaxiVax') towards treating
genetic disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) with a best-in-class cell
macroencapsulation technology as an alternative to gene therapy.(1)
With over 25 years' experience in multinational pharma companies, including
Takeda, Mundipharma International and Hoffmann-La Roche, Dr. Mehrling is an
expert in developing novel oncology compounds from bench to bedside. During his
tenure at MundiPharma International (2003-2013), he oversaw the clinical
development, registration and launch of two major products in Europe,
Depocyte(®) and Levact(®) (Ribomustin(®) and Treanda(®)). Dr. Mehrling received
his PhD in Pharmacology and MD from the University of Frankfurt, where he
previously spent 13 years working on research projects in cardiology and
oncology.
Release Tx is developing a proprietary technology capable of delivering highly
potent therapeutic proteins beyond the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for the long-
term treatment of CNS disorders. Consisting of an implantable macroencapsulation
device and a human myoblast cell line that can be genetically modified to
produce diverse proteins, this technology is the first of its kind to be
designed for cell macroencapsulation in humans.(2) The lead programme of Release
Tx focuses on treating Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare genetic CNS
disorder typically affecting young children.
Release Tx's Chairman, Ksenija Pavletic, said, "We're thrilled to have Dr.
Mehrling on board to lead Release Therapeutics on its new mission. The
remarkable progress we've made with our technology now offers significant
advantages over gene therapy for the treatment of CNS diseases, bringing hope to
patients and their families around the world."
Thomas Mehrling, MD, PhD, said 'Release Therapeutics' technology is a game-
changer in getting therapeutic proteins where they are needed most. I am looking
forward to driving the company towards this goal.'
References
(1) https://www.release-tx.com/post/treating-genetic-disorders-of-the-cns-
without-gene-therapy-or-what-we-ve-been-up-to-here-at-release
(2) https://www.release-tx.com/post/release-therapeutics-publishes-cutting-edge-
research-in-cell-press
About Release Therapeutics
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Release Therapeutics is a privately-held,
BioMedTech company developing the first cell macroencapsulation technology
designed to deliver potent therapeutic proteins beyond the human blood-brain
barrier. The Company's proprietary technology integrates an implantable
macroencapsulation device with an immortalised myoblast cell line capable of
producing a broad range of proteins for long-term delivery to the CNS.
Innovating at the nexus of biotech and MedTech, Release Therapeutics is on a
mission to treat genetic diseases of the CNS without gene therapy. The company's
lead programme is in preclinical development for the treatment of Metachromatic
Leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare genetic disorder that leads to progressive loss of
myelin and typically affects young children.
For more information, please visit our website: https://www.release-tx.com/
Contacts
Release Therapeutics SA
contact@release-tx.com (mailto:contact@release-tx.com)
Manage Mind Greece (for Release Therapeutics)
Jessica Kourniaktis
Phone: (+30)6932254679
Email: jkourniakti@managemind.ch
Â