Castle Creek Biosciences recently announced the appointment of Matthew Gantz as the organization’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment will also include a position on the board of directors for the privately held clinical-stage cell and gene therapy company.
Castle Creek Biosciences focuses on developing and commercializing disease-modifying autologous fibroblast therapies which can be made available to patients who may be dealing with a variety of orphan conditions and have little treatment options or unmet medical needs. The company’s personalized biologics approach includes a proprietary technology platform that extracts fibroblast cells from the patient’s skin.
The company is part of the Paragon Biosciences portfolio which includes a variety of innovative life science companies that focus on everything from gene therapy and synthetic biology to artificial intelligence and biopharmaceuticals. Along with Castle Creek Biosciences, companies that are part of Paragon Biosciences include CiRC Biosciences, Emalex Biosciences, Evozyne, Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Qlarity Imaging, and Skyline Biosciences,
Paragon Bioscience is headed by Chairman and CEO Jeff Aronin, who also founded Castle Creek Bioscience. Paragon’s mission is to incubate and support a variety of companies. “He’s an outstanding addition to the executive leadership team of Castle Creek as they continue to develop and advance personalized treatment plans that can help patients dealing with genetic disorders to lead healthier and longer lives,” Aronin said. “Matthew’s global experience, patient-first focus and leadership will benefit the entire organization and enhance Castle Creek’s current focus on gene and cell therapies.”
Matthew Gantz previously was CEO of Other AB and worked at a variety of other life sciences companies over the years, including BTG, a specialty healthcare firm, where he worked his way up to Executive Vice President U.S. Prior to this, he was CEO of Carreon Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical organization that focuses on products for intensive critical care, transplants and infectious diseases at hospitals. Another previous leadership position included President and CEO of Hydra Biosciences which created ion channel products with applications in reducing inflammation, cardiovascular disease and general pain.
Matthew Gantz also currently sits on the boards of Swedish Orphan Bevatron AB, a public company that focuses on international rare diseases; and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which helps pay for children of U.S. Marines to attend school. He served as an infantry officer in the Marines and earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Following his appointment, Matthew Gantz said that he’s honored to join the organization, especially at this point in its research. “I’m excited to work with their accomplished team to further progress and expand our cell-based gene therapy pipeline led by a Phase 3 study for patients suffering from recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa,” he said. “Castle Creek Bioscience’s platform and manufacturing facility positions us well for growth and makes it easier to create therapies that help patients with unmet medical needs or don’t have other medical options.”
One of Castle Creek’s Bioscience’s products which is under development is D-Fi, a cell-based gene therapy that helps with localized treatment of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes the skin to easily tear and blister. Another product under development is FCX-013, which is dedicated to helping relieve suffering from localized scleroderma, a condition that causes connective tissue to tighten and harden. Along with possible damage to skin, scleroderma can cause scarring of the kidneys and lungs.
Prior to Matthew Gantz becoming CEO of Castle Creek Bioscience, the organization was led by John Maslowski. He now will have the role of Chief Operating Officer. Much of the research and development for Castle Creek Biosciences takes place at a commercial scale research facility based in Exton, Penn. The goal of the facility is to develop and promote good manufacturing practices and follow current compliance objectives.
The company also collaborates with a variety of non-profits and charities, including Bringing Hope Home, which provides emotional and financial support for families dealing with cancer; MANNA of Philadelphia, which provides nutritious food to people with serious illnesses; and the Chester County Food Bank, which offers the community access to healthy food.
Along with a variety of managers and leaders, Castle Creek Biosciences include two scientific advisors: Heidi Jacobe, M.D., MSCS, associate professor of the Gilliam Chair in Dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; and M. Peter Marinkovich, M.D., associate professor of Dermatology at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Director of the Stanford Blistering Disease Clinic.
To learn more about Castle Creek Bioscience, visit www.castlecreekbio.com. The organization also has a Twitter account at @castlecreekbio.
