WALTHAM, Mass. — Prilenia Therapeutics B.V. has appointed Elisabeth (Lis) Leiderman, M.D., MBA, as chief financial officer as the company advances late-stage clinical programs targeting neurodegenerative diseases.
The Netherlands-based biopharmaceutical company, which focuses on treatments for Huntington’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, said Leiderman will help guide financial strategy as it works to bring its lead drug candidate, pridopidine, through Phase 3 studies and toward potential commercialization.
“Lis is a physician and neuroscientist by training, bringing a rare and exciting combination of scientific training, financial expertise, deal-making and strategic vision,” said Dr. Michael R. Hayden, chief executive officer of Prilenia Therapeutics. “She will play a key role as we execute on our mission to deliver pridopidine to people with HD, ALS and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases. I am thrilled to welcome Lis to Prilenia and to seeing the significant value she will contribute to our leadership.”
Leiderman brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, corporate development, and investment banking within the life sciences sector. She has previously served as chief financial officer at several biotechnology companies, including Dewpoint, Atsena, and Decibel, where she led fundraising initiatives, strategic transactions, and public offerings.
She also has board-level experience, currently serving on the board of Autolus Therapeutics and previously on the board of Bluebird Bio. Earlier in her career, she held senior investment banking roles at UBS, Credit Suisse, and Nomura, where she co-founded the firm’s U.S. healthcare investment banking group.
“I am excited to join the company at this important stage, embarking on two significant Phase 3 studies that could make a real difference to the lives of people with HD and ALS,” said Lis Leiderman, M.D., Prilenia’s CFO. “We have amazing backing from our hugely supportive Board and shareholders. Together, we are all fully committed to completing our pivotal Phase 3 ALS and HD studies, and to generating the data needed to support submissions for potential approvals. My core initial focus will be to help drive Prilenia’s financial and strategic priorities, successfully managing our runway through to Phase 3 completion, while at the same time ensuring we are fully ready to expedite potential commercialization as we advance our pipeline.”
Leiderman holds an M.D. with honors from Tel Aviv University, an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania.
