CEO chosen for Scenic Biotech

Scenic Biotech BV announced that Dr. C. A. Oscar Izeboud has been appointed as CEO, as former acting CEO and scientific co-founder Dr. Sebastian Nijman has taken on the role of chief scientific officer.

Dr. Izeboud brings more than 20 years of life science and finance industry experience to Scenic at what managers say is a pivotal stage in the company’s development as it expands the utility of Scenic’s Cell-Seq high resolution genetics platform and transitions its early pipeline from discovery into development. 

Scenic is a pioneer in the discovery of genetic modifiers to enable the development of disease modifying therapeutics for rare genetic disorders and other devastating illnesses.

“On behalf of the board and management I am delighted to welcome Oscar as Scenic’s new CEO,” says Dr. Ulrich Grau, chairman of the board of Scenic Biotech. “With his extensive experience and impressive achievements, he complements and strengthens the outstanding scientific acumen of the Scenic team allowing the company to play a pioneering role in identifying genetic modifiers as novel drug targets. Using its proprietary Cell-Seq platform the company is now poised to progress its portfolio of programs in immuno-oncology and rare inherited diseases.”

Dr. Nijman, in welcoming Dr. Izeboud to the team, says, “In the last three years Scenic has pioneered the genetic modifier space and is now gaining momentum on all fronts, including its lead QPCTL immuno-oncology program. Hence, the timing of bringing in Oscar could not be better. He has an outstanding track record in strategic leadership and building company value through his unique mix of financing and business development experience across the life science and healthcare sectors. We look forward to working with him.”

According to Dr. Izeboud, “Scenic is one of the most exciting early-stage biotech companies in Europe and I am excited to be taking on the CEO role at this pivotal time. Working at the forefront of identifying genetic modifiers as disease targets for drug intervention, Scenic has immense potential to develop breakthrough therapies for rare inherited diseases and cancer. I am impressed with what the team has achieved so far and look forward to driving Scenic’s further development.” 

Prior to joining Scenic, Dr. Izeboud served as managing director at NIBC Bank N.V. in Amsterdam, where he led its corporate finance and capital markets team with a focus on innovation and growth companies. 

Previously, Dr. Izeboud developed the life sciences and healthcare practice of Kempen & Co., a Dutch merchant bank. During his tenure at Kempen & Co. and NIBC Bank, Dr. Izeboud was instrumental in numerous public and private transactions in Europe and the United States. 

Prior to entering the banking industry, Dr. Izeboud served as the director of business development at Crucell, which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2011. In addition to his CEO role, he serves on the board of directors at Luciole Medical. 

Dr. Izeboud received his Ph.D. in immunopharmacology from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.