Avrion Therapeutics, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company developing game-changer treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), today announced the appointment of Maximilien Murone as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1st. The Company also announced that Harald Petry, who has served as CEO since 2022, will transition to the role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer, Patrik Richard, who served as Corporate Secretary since 2022, will transition to the role of Chief Operating Officer, and that Ravi Sodha has joined as Vice President, Business Development.

Maximilien Murone returns to the CEO role having previously led Avrion Therapeutics from 2020 to 2022, and has served continuously on the Company's Board of Directors since then. He brings deep familiarity with the Company's science, team, and strategy, along with 28+ years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and drug development.

"Leveraging a disruptive genome engineering and AI-analysis powered platform, Avrion can precisely model neurodegenerative motor dysfunction in a genetically tractable animal system. This breakthrough approach enabled us to uncover a previously unrecognized neuro-inflammatory mechanism that drives synapse loss and motor neuron death in all forms of ALS (familial and sporadic), and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases. The company is now focused on translating this insight into strong proof of concept for therapies designed to target this first-in-biology mechanism. Among them is AVR-002, a development candidate based on an engineered cytokine designed to directly intervene in this mechanism, with the goal of transforming outcomes for people living with ALS," said Maximilien Murone, Chief Executive Officer of Avrion Therapeutics.

“As we welcome our CEO back, I’d like to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this important moment,” said Harald Petry, Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer of Avrion Therapeutics. “It has been a privilege to help shape Avrion’s progress—from advancing AVR-001 toward IND-enabling studies to developing AVR-002, which targets a first-in-biology mechanism in ALS. Above all, I have been inspired by the resilience, ambition, and scientific excellence of our team. As I continue in my role as Chairman and CSO, my focus will be on supporting a seamless leadership transition, driving our strategic priorities forward, and strengthening Avrion’s contribution to innovation in the fight against ALS.”

Leadership and Board Changes

• Harald Petry moves from Chief Executive Officer to Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientific Officer, where he will lead Avrion’s scientific direction with a strong focus on advancing R&D strategy, accelerating pipeline progress, and unlocking the full potential of the company’s innovation in ALS.
• Patrik Richard, previously Corporate Secretary, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, marking an important step in the company’s continued growth and organizational development. In this new role, he will lead the company’s operational activities. His appointment reflects both his deep knowledge of the organization and the confidence placed in his ability to drive operational excellence at a pivotal moment for the company.
• Ravi Sodha joins as Vice President, Business Development, bringing his deep experience in partnerships, licensing, and corporate development to support the Company's growth strategy.