Hellebø replaces Hunt at the helm of stem cell firm ReNeuron
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
UK stem cell specialist ReNeuron has appointed pharma veteran Olav Hellebø CEO with immediate effect. Mr Hellebø has experience at both large pharma firms and small biotechs, having most recently headed up Norway’s Clavis Pharma, where he took the company’s lead program through Phase III clinical development as well as completing “substantial” fundraising and out-licensing transactions. Before this, he was in charge of the global biologics franchise at UCB Pharma, and was previously head of UK commercial operations of Novartis. He has also worked for Schering-Plough, where he held a number of senior commercial roles in Europe and the US. Mr Hellebø replaces long-time ReNeuron chief Michael Hunt, who in April announced his intention to become the firm’s CFO after leading the company since July 2005. ReNeuron’s most advanced product is ReN001 for the treatment of the effects of stroke, which is currently in a Phase II trial with results expected at the end of 2015, according to the firm’s website.