Ron Eastman
BRC Therapeutics has appointed pharmaceutical executive and healthcare investor Ron Eastman to its board of directors as the company advances a pipeline of therapies targeting neurological and inflammatory diseases.
The Monterey, California-based biotechnology company said Eastman brings more than 40 years of experience spanning drug development, pharmaceutical operations, executive leadership, and healthcare investing.
Eastman currently serves as a senior advisor at EW Healthcare Partners, a healthcare-focused private equity and life sciences investment firm where he previously served as managing director. During his tenure, he led investments in several healthcare companies, including ProteinSimple, Corium Therapeutics, Revance Therapeutics, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, and Elusys Therapeutics.
Prior to his investment career, Eastman held chief executive roles at multiple biotechnology companies. He served as CEO of Geron Corporation, helping guide the regenerative medicine and oncology company from a venture-backed startup to a publicly traded business. He later led Rinat Neuroscience, a Genentech spinout focused on therapies for neurological disorders that was acquired by Pfizer in 2006.
His earlier career included 15 years with American Cyanamid Company, now part of Pfizer, where he managed pharmaceutical products and operations in the United States and international markets.
“We are delighted to welcome Ron to our Board,” said George Hodgin, founder and chief executive officer of BRC Therapeutics. “His depth of experience across the life cycle of therapeutics development and commercialization makes him an exceptional addition to our team.”
The appointment comes as BRC Therapeutics continues advancing its clinical-stage pipeline of prescription cannabinoid-based therapies. The company is developing investigational treatments for chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Arthralgia (AIIA).
Eastman cited the company’s recent regulatory progress as a factor in his decision to join the board.
“BRC Therapeutics is addressing significant unmet medical needs with an innovative first-in-class approach,” Eastman said. “I am impressed by the science, the team, and the clinical and regulatory progress BRC has achieved — most recently the FDA’s clearance of the IND for BRC-002 in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.”
The company develops multimodal therapies containing cannabinoids in defined formulations and is focused on creating prescription medicines for conditions where treatment options remain limited. BRC is registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and operates from its headquarters in Monterey.
The board appointment adds experience in both drug commercialization and healthcare investment as BRC moves its lead programs through clinical development and seeks to expand its presence in the emerging field of cannabinoid-based therapeutics.