Yaqrit, a biotech and medtech company focused on advanced liver diseases, has announced the appointment of Troels Jordansen as its new Chief Executive Officer. Jordansen's role will be to lead the company's late-stage clinical development programs and commercialization strategies. This move comes as Yaqrit prepares for several late-stage trials of its products aimed at treating complications associated with advanced liver disease and is gearing up to launch a phase 3 study.
Leadership Transition and Strategic Focus
Jordansen succeeds Professor Rajiv Jalan, Yaqrit's Founder and Interim CEO, who will continue to guide the company's clinical and scientific development. Jalan stated that Jordansen's appointment is crucial for assembling an experienced management team to maximize the value of Yaqrit's pipeline of drugs and devices that address unmet needs in liver disease treatment. Jordansen brings a track record of strategic planning and executing partnerships with companies developing complex advanced therapies.
Jordansen's Vision for Yaqrit
"I am excited to join Yaqrit at this critical point in its development as an advanced liver disease company," said Troels Jordansen. He highlighted the company's broadening late-stage pipeline, supported by grants and active business development, as key factors in his decision. Jordansen's immediate priorities include building an effective team focused on clinical and corporate development. He also emphasized the importance of engaging partners to fully leverage the potential of Yaqrit's assets in the coming year.
Extensive Experience in Biotech
Troels Jordansen has a strong background in the life sciences industry, with experience in raising capital and closing deals. He has been part of management teams that have raised over €200 million for public and private companies and closed deals valued at €500 million. Prior to joining Yaqrit, Jordansen served as CEO of Glycostem Therapeutics, where he oversaw fundraising for clinical development in NK cell cancer therapies, manufacturing capabilities, and licensing. He also transformed Clinical Cell Culture into a global leader in cellular skin repair. His career includes roles with IsoTis, Genzyme Tissue Repair, and Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedic. Jordansen is also Founding Partner of Altius Bioventures and Executive Chairman of KELI Therapeutics.
Yaqrit's Focus on Advanced Liver Disease
Yaqrit is dedicated to discovering and developing treatments for patients with advanced liver disease who are at high risk of hospitalization and death. The company's pipeline includes therapeutics in phase 2/3 clinical trials and medical devices entering registrational trials. These treatments target both acute and chronic aspects of advanced cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), conditions where there is a significant need for more effective therapies. Decompensated cirrhosis affects over 10 million patients worldwide annually, leading to complications such as jaundice, infections, encephalopathy, ascites, and bleeding. The median survival for patients with decompensated cirrhosis is approximately two to three years, and less than three months for those with multiorgan failure, highlighting the urgency for improved treatment options.
