BlueRock Therapeutics Appoints Joachim Fruebis, Ph.D., as Chief Development Officer

- Strengthens executive team with drug development expertise to translate novel Cell+Gene platform into therapeutic programs -

News provided by

BlueRock Therapeutics

Mar 18, 2019, 08:00 ET

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueRock Therapeutics, LP, an engineered cell therapy company leveraging its novel Cell+Gene platform to develop regenerative medicines for intractable diseases, today announced the appointment of Joachim Fruebis, Ph.D., as Chief Development Officer. Dr. Fruebis will lead BlueRock's drug development efforts, including clinical and regulatory strategy, and will be responsible for driving BlueRock's novel programs across neurology, cardiology and autoimmune diseases through clinical development and toward regulatory approval. He will join BlueRock's executive team, reporting to Emile Nuwaysir, Chief Executive Officer of BlueRock.

"Joachim brings over two decades of industry experience with significant expertise leading global teams to successfully translate preclinical drug development candidates through clinical development, regulatory approval and commercialization," said Emile Nuwaysir, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of BlueRock Therapeutics. "He joins our team at an exciting and pivotal time at BlueRock as we work to advance multiple Cell+Gene platform candidates into the clinic. Joachim's leadership, clinical and regulatory background and demonstrated track record in bringing therapies to patients are an important addition to our growing R&D team and capabilities."

"I am thrilled to be joining the BlueRock team as we work to drive transformative treatment options across neurological, cardiac and autoimmune disorders," said Joachim Fruebis, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer of BlueRock. "I look forward to working with the executive team and our collaborators in leveraging our innovative Cell+Gene platform and advancing potentially life-altering medicines that could address multiple unmet medical needs."

Dr. Fruebis brings more than 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was most recently Senior Vice President, Clinical Development at Bioverativ (acquired by Sanofi). In this role, Dr. Fruebis was responsible for developing Bioverativ's rare disease program portfolio. Prior to Bioverativ, Dr. Fruebis served as Vice President, Senior Global Program Head for multiple disease areas, including hematology and ophthalmology at Bayer, a role in which he led cross-functional global teams responsible for the late-stage clinical development and commercialization of multiple products including the franchises for Eylea®, Kovaltry® and Jivi®. Prior to Bayer, Dr. Fruebis served as Vice President, External R&D Innovation at Pfizer, a role in which he was responsible for the rare disease, ophthalmology and cardiovascular/metabolic therapeutic areas. Dr. Fruebis received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Biology from the University Kaiserslautern, Germany for work conducted at UC San Diego, Dept of Medicine.

About BlueRock Therapeutics

BlueRock Therapeutics is an engineered cell therapy company with a mission to develop regenerative medicines for intractable diseases. BlueRock's Cell+Gene platform harnesses the power of cells for new medicines across neurology, cardiology and autoimmune indications. BlueRock's cell differentiation technology recapitulates the cell's developmental biology to produce native cell therapies which are further engineered for additional function. Utilizing these cell therapies to replace damaged or degenerated tissue brings the potential to restore or regenerate lost function. BlueRock was founded in 2016 by Versant Ventures and capitalized with one of the largest-ever Series A financings in biotech history by Bayer AG and Versant. BlueRock's culture is defined by scientific innovation, highest ethical standards and an urgency to bring transformative treatments to all who would benefit. For more information, visit www.bluerocktx.com.

Investors:
Candice Ellis, 978-879-7273
Associate Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
[email protected]

Media Contacts:
David Schull or Maggie Beller
Russo Partners, LLC
(646) 942-5631
[email protected]

SOURCE BlueRock Therapeutics