Danish biotechnology company Ascendis Pharma has appointed Martin Auster, M.D., as Chief Business Officer.
Dr. Auster joins the company from United Therapeutics, where he has served as Vice President, Business Development. Prior to United Therapeutics, Dr. Auster held positions in the investment banking industry, including as a Senior Biotechnology Analyst at Wachovia Securities and a Senior Analyst/Healthcare-focused Portfolio Manager at GLG Partners, Inc., one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers. Dr. Auster holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch.
“We are pleased to welcome Martin to the Ascendis management team,” stated Jan Mikkelsen, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Martin is an accomplished biopharmaceutical industry professional with proven expertise in corporate strategy and business development. Martin joins Ascendis at a time when we anticipate upcoming catalysts to drive business value, including the progress of our Phase 2 pediatric study of TransCon human Growth Hormone and the initiation in 2014 of a Phase 1 study of TransCon Treprostinil by our collaboration partner, United Therapeutics.”
Dr. Auster stated, “I am extremely impressed with Ascendis’ TransCon technology, the company’s product candidates and its accomplished management team. I look forward to applying my background to help further Ascendis’ development into a leading biopharmaceutical company.”
