Coulter Partners places Claus Sundgreen, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer at NRG Therapeutics
Coulter Partners, the global expert building leadership teams for Health, Science and Technology innovation businesses, successfully led a search assignment for NRG Therapeutics and is pleased to announce the placement of Claus Sundgreen, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
NRG Therapeutics is a clinical-stage neuroscience company developing novel disease-modifying therapeutics that restore mitochondrial health in neurodegenerative diseases. Its lead clinical asset, NRG5051, is a first-in-class, orally bioavailable and CNS-penetrant next-generation inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 first-in-human trial.
As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sundgreen will lead NRG's clinical development strategy, overseeing completion of the ongoing Phase 1 trial of NRG5051 and the planning and execution of a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial in ALS scheduled to commence in 2027.
Dr. Sundgreen is a recognized leader in neuroscience drug development with more than 25 years of clinical leadership experience spanning translational medicine and all phases of clinical development, from first-in-human studies through registrational trials. He has held senior leadership positions across biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies including HD Immune, Abcuro, VectorY, Tikomed, Orphazyme, uniQure, and NeuroSearch, and brings particular expertise in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. He has an M.D., Medicine from the University of Copenhagen and a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine from the Karolinska Institute.
Neil Miller, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NRG Therapeutics, commented:
I am delighted to welcome Claus to NRG as our Chief Medical Officer. His deep experience in neurodegenerative disease drug development, particularly in ALS, together with his strong clinical and regulatory expertise and connections within the ALS patient community, will be invaluable as we continue advancing NRG5051 through clinical development. This was a key appointment for NRG as we prepare for the next phase of clinical development. Coulter Partners quickly understood both the specific scientific and clinical expertise and leadership qualities we were seeking, as well as the stage of growth of the company. Their deep knowledge of the global neuroscience sector, extensive network, and thoughtful guidance throughout the process enabled us to evaluate an outstanding group of candidates and ultimately identify the right leader for this critical role.
Kay Wardle, Managing Partner at Coulter Partners, added:
NRG was seeking a rare combination of clinical development expertise, neuroscience leadership, and deep knowledge of ALS. Our search focused on identifying leaders with a proven track record of advancing innovative therapies through critical clinical milestones while bringing the strategic perspective needed for a growing clinical-stage company. Claus stood out throughout the process for the breadth of his experience, his scientific credibility, and his passion for improving outcomes for patients living with ALS. We are pleased to have supported NRG in securing such an accomplished leader for this pivotal appointment.
