Augustine Therapeutics has strengthened its executive leadership with the appointment of Rie Schultz Hansen, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer, while simultaneously establishing a Copenhagen-based subsidiary to expand its research capabilities in cardio-metabolic diseases. The moves come as the biotechnology company prepares to advance its lead HDAC6 inhibitor program into clinical trials for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Strategic Leadership Addition
Hansen brings more than 20 years of experience in drug discovery and early-stage drug development, with particular expertise in cardio-metabolic and inflammation-driven diseases. Her appointment follows recent executive additions including Virginie Cartage as Chief Financial Officer and Dr. Andy Hu as Chief Business Officer, signaling Augustine's preparation for its transition to a clinical-stage company.
Prior to joining Augustine, Hansen served as Chief Scientific Officer at Aelin Therapeutics, where she developed a degrader platform based on induced protein aggregation to neutralize disease-causing proteins. She later led an entrepreneurial initiative advancing AI/ML-based solutions derived from Aelin's technology, securing initial funding and establishing collaboration partnerships for assay development and high-throughput screening capabilities.
The majority of Hansen's career was spent at peptide development specialist Zealand Pharma, where she held multiple leadership positions including Innovation Officer, Vice President, Head of Discovery and Innovation, and Interim Chief Scientific Officer. In these roles, she governed the preclinical portfolio through CTA/IND submission and developed research and chemistry strategies for pre-clinical projects focused on cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory diseases.
Copenhagen Subsidiary Expansion
Augustine Therapeutics Denmark ApS, the newly established Copenhagen subsidiary, will serve as the company's research hub for cardio-metabolic disease applications. The subsidiary is designed to leverage the unique depth of cardio-metabolic R&D capabilities in the Danish region.
"The establishment of our Danish subsidiary will drive the expansion of our efforts in applying HDAC6i in cardio-metabolic diseases and allow us to tap into the unique depth of cardio-metabolic R&D capabilities in the Danish region," Hansen stated.
Clinical Pipeline Advancement
Augustine's lead candidate, AGT-100216, represents the first selective HDAC6 inhibitor designed for long-term treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The compound is preparing to enter Phase I/II proof-of-concept clinical trials under Hansen's scientific leadership.
Beyond CMT disease, Augustine is developing two additional programs targeting peripherally-restricted and blood-brain barrier-penetrant HDAC6 inhibitors for undisclosed neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic indications. The company's approach focuses on selectively inhibiting HDAC6 while preserving its beneficial non-catalytic functions.
"Rie's expertise will be instrumental in advancing Augustine's lead candidate, AGT-100216, through a Phase I/II proof-of-concept clinical trial in CMT and the Company's two other programs in discovery," commented Gerhard Koenig, PhD, CEO of Augustine Therapeutics.
Novel HDAC6 Approach
Augustine's HDAC6 inhibitors feature a novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide producing chemotype designed to avoid limitations of other chemotypes while maintaining selectivity. This approach is specifically built for chronic diseases and represents a next-generation method for HDAC6 inhibition.
The company was founded on research from Prof. Ludo Van Den Bosch from VIB-KU Leuven in Belgium and completed an oversubscribed EUR 78 million Series A financing round in March 2025, led by Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital.
Hansen holds a Master's in Biology and PhD from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Copenhagen, with post-doctoral training in cardiovascular research. She serves as a board member of the Peptide Therapeutics Foundation and is a member of the DCAcademy Grant Committee at the University of Copenhagen.
