David DeWahl has been appointed president and CEO of US biotech Ischemix.
He joins after stepping down from his role as president of private investment firm Colchester Healthcare Investments.
He has also previously served as VP corporate development at Helix Therapeutics and managing director at Life Science Group – a company he co-founded.
Prior to that, DeWahl was an investment banker with a focus on healthcare the life sciences.
“His background in building life sciences companies and his experience in developing corporate collaborations in the industry and in raising capital will substantially strengthen Ischemix as we continue the clinical development of our drug candidates,” said Dr Reinier Beeuwkes, chairman of the board and chief scientific officer at Ischemix.
These candidates include the company’s lead compound CMX-2043, which is being developed to protect against heart and kidney damage due to the interruption of blood flow.
The investigational drug has recently demonstrated positive benefits in phase IIa trials, and further development is expected this year.