Decibel Therapeutics appoints former Biogen exec as president and CEO

Decibel Therapeutics has appointed Steven Holtzman as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding interim chief executive Kevin Starr.

Holtzman joins the firm - which develops therapies to protect, repair and restore hearing - from Biogen, where he most recently held the position of executive vice president, corporate development.

In this role, Holtzman created and led the programme management teams through six new drug approvals as well as working on a series of M&A transactions.

Prior to Biogen, he founded Infinity Pharmaceuticals, and served as its chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors.

During his 30 years of biotech industry experience, Holtzman also served as the chief business officer at Millennium Pharmaceuticals (now Takeda Oncology), and founded DNX Corporation, which was the first commercial offering to specialise in transgenic technology.

Starr said: “Steve is a recognised leader in the development and growth of successful, product-driven biotechnology companies, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team.

“Steve's deep experience in building and leading organisations, business development, drug discovery and R&D makes him the ideal individual to cultivate our culture, team and science to pioneer the development of new therapies for the millions of people with hearing disorders.”