Capricor Therapeutics Appoints Michael Binks, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) has appointed Dr. Michael Binks as Chief Medical Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Binks, a board-certified rheumatologist with 25 years of experience, joins Capricor ahead of the potential approval of deramiocel in Q3 2025. He previously served as Vice President and Head of Rare Disease Clinical and Translational Research at Pfizer, where he led global clinical efforts across multiple studies, including several in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). His expertise spans immunology, neurology, cardiology, nephrology, and hematology, with a track record of advancing first-in-class therapies including Benlysta, Hympavzi, Paxlovid, and Beqvez. The appointment strengthens Capricor's medical leadership as the company advances deramiocel toward potential commercialization for DMD treatment and explores pipeline expansion opportunities.

Positive

• Strategic timing of CMO appointment ahead of potential deramiocel approval in Q3 2025
• New CMO brings 25 years of relevant experience in clinical development and research
• Dr. Binks has specific expertise in DMD and rare diseases, aligning with company focus
• Track record of advancing multiple first-in-class therapies to market

Negative

• None.

— Dr. Binks joins Capricor in anticipation of potential approval of deramiocel in Q3 2025, bringing extensive experience in neuromuscular and rare diseases —

SAN DIEGO, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR), a biotechnology company developing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics for rare diseases, today announced the appointment of Michael Binks, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Binks brings 25 years of experience leading global clinical development and translational research across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

“Michael is an outstanding addition to Capricor’s leadership team as we advance deramiocel toward potential commercialization for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and explore future pipeline expansion opportunities,” said Linda Marbán, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Capricor. “With over a decade of leadership in the DMD space, Dr. Binks is uniquely positioned to guide the medical and commercial advancement of our deramiocel program and help shape the next phase of our pipeline. This is a pivotal time to strengthen our medical leadership, and we are excited about the expertise and strategic vision he brings to the organization.”

Dr. Binks is a board-certified rheumatologist (UK) and an internationally recognized expert in immunology and rare diseases. He previously held senior leadership roles at Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline, where he played a key role in advancing several first-in-class therapies—including Benlysta, Hympavzi, Paxlovid, and Beqvez as well as multiple gene therapy, small molecule, and biologics programs across early and late-stage development. Most recently, Dr. Binks served as Vice President and Head of Rare Disease Clinical and Translational Research in Worldwide Research, Development and Medical at Pfizer, based in Cambridge, MA. There, he led global clinical efforts across more than a dozen studies, including several in DMD. His therapeutic expertise spans immunology, neurology, cardiology, nephrology, and hematology. In addition to his pharmaceutical roles, Dr. Binks is the founder of PathfindRx LLC, a translational medicine consultancy, and has held academic and clinical appointments at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and University College London. He earned his medical degree, postgraduate, and specialist training from University College London Medical School.

About Capricor Therapeutics

Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics to redefine the treatment landscape for rare diseases. At the forefront of our innovation is our lead product candidate, deramiocel, an allogeneic cardiac-derived cell therapy. Extensive preclinical and clinical studies have shown deramiocel to exert potent immunomodulatory and anti-fibrotic actions in preservation of cardiac and skeletal muscle function in dystrophiopathies such as DMD. Deramiocel is currently in late-stage development for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Capricor is also harnessing the power of its exosome technology, using its proprietary StealthX™ platform in preclinical development focused on the areas of vaccinology, targeted delivery of oligonucleotides, proteins and small molecule therapeutics to potentially treat and prevent a diverse array of diseases. At Capricor, we stand committed to pushing the boundaries of possibility and forging a path toward transformative treatments for those in need. For more information, visit capricor.com, and follow Capricor on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding the efficacy, safety, and intended utilization of Capricor’s product candidates; the initiation, conduct, size, timing and results of discovery efforts and clinical trials; the pace of enrollment of clinical trials; plans regarding regulatory filings, future research and clinical trials; regulatory developments involving products, including the ability to obtain regulatory approvals or otherwise bring products to market; manufacturing capabilities; dates for regulatory meetings; statements about our financial outlook; the potential that required regulatory inspections may be delayed or not be successful which would delay or prevent product approval; the ability to achieve product milestones and to receive milestone payments from commercial partners; plans regarding current and future collaborative activities and the ownership of commercial rights; potential future agreements; scope, duration, validity and enforceability of intellectual property rights; future revenue streams and projections; expectations with respect to the expected use of proceeds from the recently completed offerings and the anticipated effects of the offerings; and any other statements about Capricor’s management team’s future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. More information about these and other risks that may impact Capricor’s business is set forth in Capricor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2025. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Capricor as of the date hereof, and Capricor assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Capricor has entered into an agreement for the exclusive commercialization and distribution of deramiocel for DMD in the United States and Japan with Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. (U.S. subsidiary: NS Pharma, Inc.), subject to regulatory approval. Deramiocel is an Investigational New Drug (IND) and is not yet approved for any indications. None of Capricor’s exosome-based candidates have been approved for clinical investigation.

For more information, please contact:

Capricor Media Contact:
Raquel Cona
KCSA Strategic Communications
rcona@kcsa.com
212.896.1204

Capricor Company Contact:
AJ Bergmann, Chief Financial Officer
abergmann@capricor.com
858.727.1755

FAQ

Who is the new Chief Medical Officer of Capricor Therapeutics (CAPR)?

Dr. Michael Binks has been appointed as the new Chief Medical Officer of Capricor Therapeutics, effective immediately. He is a board-certified rheumatologist with 25 years of experience in clinical development and research.

When is Capricor's deramiocel expected to receive potential approval?

Deramiocel is anticipated to potentially receive approval in Q3 2025.

What is Dr. Michael Binks' previous experience before joining CAPR?

Dr. Binks previously served as Vice President and Head of Rare Disease Clinical and Translational Research at Pfizer, and held senior leadership roles at GlaxoSmithKline. He has experience advancing therapies like Benlysta, Hympavzi, Paxlovid, and Beqvez.

What is the main therapeutic focus of Capricor Therapeutics (CAPR)?

Capricor Therapeutics focuses on developing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics for rare diseases, with their lead product candidate deramiocel being developed for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

What commercial partnerships does CAPR have for deramiocel?

Capricor has an agreement with Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. (U.S. subsidiary: NS Pharma, Inc.) for the exclusive commercialization and distribution of deramiocel for DMD in the United States and Japan, subject to regulatory approval.