Courage Therapeutics, a pre-clinical biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for obesity and eating disorders, has appointed Giovanni Ferrara as Chief Executive Officer following a strategic investment led by Arsenal Bridge Ventures in May. The leadership transition positions the company to accelerate development of its novel drug candidates targeting the central melanocortin system in the brain.
Experienced Leadership for Critical Development Phase
Ferrara brings extensive biopharma leadership experience to Courage Therapeutics, most recently serving as CEO of Medeor Therapeutics where he oversaw Phase 3 development of a cell therapy immunology product. His background includes serving as a partner at Novartis Venture Funds (NVF), where he founded and led NeuroVia, Inc., a clinical-stage company focused on orphan Central Nervous System diseases. At NeuroVia, Ferrara successfully raised capital, assembled an efficient team, and spearheaded clinical and regulatory strategies.
Prior to NVF, Ferrara served as Chief Business Officer at Sorbent Therapeutics, guiding the company's clinical pivot from dialysis to heart failure applications. His venture capital background further enhances his ability to navigate drug development and commercialization challenges.
"I'm excited to join Courage at what is arguably the most robust era in obesity and weight management science and medicine," Ferrara stated. "Courage offers a unique opportunity to impact a critical area where patient needs are largely unmet and look forward to working with this talented team to bring these important treatments to patients and caregivers as soon as possible."
Targeting the Central Melanocortin System
Courage Therapeutics' two lead drug-development programs focus on obesity and restrictive eating disorders by targeting neural circuits in the brain known as the central melanocortin (MC) system. The company has discovered the substantial role that MC3 and MC4 receptors play in regulating energy balance and food intake.
Under the scientific leadership of Dr. Tomi Sawyer, the company's medicinal chemistry team has pending patents on multiple compounds with highly selective and potent MC4R and MC3R activity. The company operates under a licensing agreement with the University of Michigan to develop treatments based on a portfolio of intellectual property jointly invented by Courage.
Strategic Investment and Future Development
Arsenal Bridge Ventures led the recent investment round and was instrumental in recruiting Ferrara through their extensive network of seasoned biotech leaders. "Through our extensive networks of experienced biotechnology CEOs and C-suite leadership, we were able to identify and recruit Giovanni, a leader whose vision and expertise are ideally suited for Courage Therapeutics," said Isaac Barchas, founding partner of Arsenal Bridge Ventures.
The company is raising a second seed financing tranche in partnership with Arsenal Bridge Ventures to further accelerate development and scaling operations. This additional funding will support the transition from pre-clinical research to clinical trials.
Organizational Structure and Focus
Dan Housman, founding CEO of Courage Therapeutics, will continue serving on the company's board, bringing his expertise and dedication to the mission he established with co-founder Dr. Roger Cone, a professor of molecular and integrative physiology at the University of Michigan.
"Giovanni is a pivotal hire that frees the rest of us up to focus on advancing our drugs into the clinic as soon as possible," said Cone. "With our new leadership – including a fully operational new Board – and essential infrastructure in place, we are able to focus on generating meaningful data and fostering service provider relationships."
Arsenal Bridge Ventures focuses on advancing high-impact, differentiated biotechnology innovations from mid-continent universities where commercial and venture networks are less saturated. The firm's investment strategy aligns with Courage Therapeutics' mission to address significant unmet medical needs in obesity and eating disorder treatments.
