Framingham, Mass. — Tortugas Neuroscience has appointed Ramzi Benamar as Chief Financial Officer as the clinical-stage biotechnology company continues to advance its central nervous system drug pipeline.
Benamar brings experience in capital formation, corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, operational scaling and commercialization planning across the life sciences industry.
“Ramzi brings meaningful capabilities and an understanding of the life sciences industry. He has had a documented and successful track record of helping biotechnology companies navigate important stages of growth,” said Jeff Jonas, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tortugas. “His perspective and expertise will be critical as we continue to advance our pipeline and execute on our long-term corporate and financial strategy.”
Tortugas, launched in April 2026, is developing several small-molecule drug candidates for CNS disorders. Its clinical-stage pipeline includes potential treatments for schizophrenia, tinnitus, focal epilepsy and reversible encephalopathies, among other indications.
The programs were in-licensed from Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. and Eisai Co., Ltd. and include new chemical entities with differentiated mechanisms of action.
“Tortugas has assembled a differentiated, clinical-stage CNS pipeline and a leadership team with extensive experience developing successful new medicines in CNS,” Benamar said. “I am excited to join the company at this important stage and to help build the financial and corporate strategy needed to advance these promising programs.”
Benamar previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Bellus Health, where he helped lead the company through its $2 billion acquisition by GSK. Most recently, he served as CFO of Apnimed, focusing on capital allocation and commercialization planning.
He has also served as CFO of DBV Technologies and Elucida Oncology and held senior leadership positions at Spark Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, Shire and Merck.
Benamar holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University, as well as a master’s degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
