Honor
Our guiding light and principle. To us, honor is the necessary foundation for realizing our mission. Without honor, nothing else matters.
Natalie, 10, GRIN2B Patient
Cur•ra•tor
/ˈkyo͝orˌādər,kyo͝oˈrādər,ˈkyo͝orədər/
noun
1. a keeper or custodian of a collection.
We aim to identify, acquire, and develop a collection of high-potential technologies addressing a broad range of neurological and psychiatric disorders and advance them through approval and commercialization. Our decisions to advance projects are based on fundamental analyses of the science, clinical data, regulatory path, commercial viability, and, above all else: our ability to serve patients and caregivers.
As a Blackstone Life Sciences portfolio company, Neurvati is powered by best-in-class expertise, relentless passion, and deep resources to optimize the development of neuroscience therapeutics. We engage hand-picked strategic partners to broaden our reach while aligning ourselves with patient communities to enhance the development of treatments capable of transforming the lives of patients.
Our business model is structured to meet the demands of neuroscience drug development and commercialization. We implement a long-term, strategic view of the entire neuroscience ecosystem to assemble and advance a collection of potentially transformative products. We establish fit-for-purpose subsidiary companies around product candidates to maximize business versatility and operational efficiency, supported and facilitated by our deep resource-base. This model enables us to advance a full spectrum of technologies to help patients who are counting on us to develop and commercialize novel products.
Neurvati’s first subsidiary company, GRIN Therapeutics, is developing an investigational product, radiprodil, as a novel therapy for patients diagnosed with GRIN-related disorders. GRIN-related disorders are genetically defined pediatric encephalopathies that present with a spectrum of symptoms, including epilepsy, behavioral disorders, autism, intellectual disability, and movement disorders. Radiprodil selectively targets receptors in the brain called NR2B receptors. NR2B receptors are overactive in the brains of GRIN2B-related disorder patients with gain-of-function mutations and are believed to drive many of the debilitating symptoms. By targeting the root cause of the disorder, we believe that radiprodil has potential to serve as a possible option for patients.
Learn about GRIN2B variant function on the GRIN Portal
We are working closely with the GRIN-related disorders community to understand the community’s priorities. We are grateful to GRIN2B Foundation, GRIN2B Europe, GRIN Syndroom Netherlands, and CureGRIN for their partnership.
Meet our leadership team. We have deep subject matter expertise, extensive networks, and proven track records making the Neurvati team uniquely equipped to deliver on our mission.
Backed by a financial investment from Blackstone, Neurvati Neurosciences is well-resourced to advance drug candidates through near and long term milestones. Operating under the Blackstone umbrella, our unique business model maximizes value creation of drug candidates and empowers the operational agility and clinical execution critical to sustainable, competitive success.
To learn more about our company, partnership opportunities, or if you want to say hello, get in touch with a member of the Neurvati team below.
Hillary Savoie, Ph.D
Hillary Savoie, PhD is the Director of Community Engagement and Communication at Neurvati Neurosciences. Prior to joining Neurvati, Hillary worked as a rare disease advocate, patient engagement consultant, and writer. She is also a mother. Her daughter Esmé, who is medically and developmentally complex, has served as the inspiration for her work in rare disease. Hillary founded The Cute Syndrome Foundation, which focuses on a rare genetic and developmental encephalopathy, in 2013. She served as Executive Director at TCSF for 9 years and now serves on the Board of Directors. Her personal essays and reported features about life with medically-complex children which can be found on Romper.com, New York Times, Rolling Stone, and the podcast Story Collider, among others. Hillary holds a doctorate in Communication and Rhetoric from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Elliott Ruiz
Elliott Ruiz began his career in investment banking with time spent at Truist Securities (f/k/a Suntrust Bank) and KPMG’s boutique healthcare corporate finance group. In 2014, Elliott moved into the pharmaceutical space and helped to grow the private equity backed Alvogen Inc., with leadership responsibilities that included corporate development, capital raising, and financial planning and analysis. In 2016, Elliott joined Purdue Pharma to lead their Business Development Finance team. His responsibilities quickly grew over his tenure with his most recent role as Treasurer overseeing Purdue’s FP&A, Business Development Finance, Treasury, Accounts Payable, Credit, and Insurance functions, among other responsibilities. Elliott’s leadership was battle-tested as he helped to lead Purdue through its restructuring process. Elliott received his BA in Economics from Cornell University and his MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. He has also received management training at the Yale School of Management where he received an Executive Leadership Development Certification.
Mariann DiNunzio
Mariann DiNunzio joins Neurvati as Chief of Staff bringing deep expertise and leadership in pharmaceutical sales, operations and human resources at Abbott Laboratories, Bristol Myers Squibb and GreyLion Capital.
Ms. DiNunzio has a proven track record building and nurturing strong relationships that are essential to executing strategies, achieving results and accelerating growth within both privately held and Fortune 500 companies. She began her career in 2000 as a sales specialist for Abbott Laboratories, advancing to Senior Territory Business Manager, Immunoscience, at Bristol Myers Squibb in 2014. During this time, she won numerous sales and sales management awards for creating work environments that cultivate team members and drive optimal performance. Her experience as a sales and operational leader served her well as she transitioned into human resources and operations roles in private equity where she served as Chief of Staff for GreyLion Capital, formerly Perella Weinberg Partners-Growth Equity. In this role, she supported the co-founders and managed the firm’s daily operations through collaboration with key stake holders, including the investment team, finance, compliance, human resources, legal and IT.
As Chief of Staff of Neurvati, Ms. DiNunzio has come full circle in the Neuroscience field to help deliver medicines to patients in need of better treatment options, from selling a neuroscience drug for Abbott more than 20 years ago to supporting the launch and growth of Neurvati.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Clemson University.
Michael A. Panzara, M.D., MPH
Michael A. Panzara, MD, MPH is currently Chief Medical Officer at Neurvati Neurosciences. Dr. Panzara has over 20 years of biopharmaceutical experience focused on developing therapies for neurological disorders having served in leadership roles at Wave Life Sciences, Sanofi, Genzyme, and Biogen before joining Neurvati in 2022 and currently serves on the board of directors of Athira Pharma, Inc., a clinicalstage biopharmaceutical company. Prior to joining Neurvati, he was Chief Medical Officer, Head of Therapeutics Discovery and Development at Wave Life Sciences where he oversaw Wave’s therapeutic research and development portfolio with a focus on genetically-defined diseases.
He served as the Head of the Multiple Sclerosis, Neurology and Ophthalmology Therapeutic Area for Global Development at Sanofi Genzyme, where he oversaw global regulatory approvals of the multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs LEMTRADA (alemtuzumab) and AUBAGIO (teriflunomide) and was responsible for development strategy and oversight within these therapeutic areas. He joined Genzyme in 2009 as Group Vice President, Multiple Sclerosis and Immune Diseases, overseeing the development of MS and other inflammatory disease therapies. Prior to joining Genzyme, Dr. Panzara was Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Neurology at Biogen. During his time there, he served as the global clinical lead for the development of TYSABRI (natalizumab) for MS, overseeing its clinical program and global approvals and managed clinical development activities for all late-stage MS products including AVONEX (interferon beta-1a), PLEGRIDY (PEG-interferon beta-1a), and TECFIDERA (dimethylfumarate).
Dr. Panzara received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Pennsylvania and medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. He trained in neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, received his postdoctoral training in immunology and rheumatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and received his Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Hans Christinger
Hans Christinger is motivated by two factors: to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives now; and to build a world-class company that will significantly impact those in need. He is passionate about pairing his in-depth experience as a dedicated leader, innovator and advocate across the life science community with Neurvati’s resources and mission to bring treatments to the patients who need them most.
Mr. Christinger has accumulated more than 30 years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including roles in business development, drug development and scientific research. He has a track record of leveraging strategic partnerships to build leading science-based, patient-centered companies in neurology and ophthalmology, as evidenced by his prior roles at Ovid Therapeutics and Ophthotech (Iveric). His success is enabled by his experience with, and network from global pharmaceutical companies Abbott and Roche, where he built business units, differentiated portfolios and capabilities through partnering. He is an active Board Member and Advisor to the KIF1A Foundation, Vice Chairperson for NYBIO’s Executive Committee and advises several early-stage biotechnology companies.
Mr. Christinger began his career as a bench scientist at Genentech where he authored 15 structural biology-related peer-reviewed papers. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Babson College, a Master of Science in chemistry from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of Vermont.
Bruce Leuchter, M.D.
Dr. Bruce Leuchter brings deep-rooted, wide-ranging experience to his role as President and CEO at Neurvati, spanning neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, biotechnology equity research, healthcare investment banking and entrepreneurship. His expertise captures all aspects of building and leading a neuroscience company, and his experiences have generated deep empathy for the patient journey. Across his many roles in the clinic, industry, and beyond, Dr. Leuchter has maintained a passion for knowledge and has aimed to purposefully apply that knowledge to help patients suffering from diseases of the brain and nervous system.
A physician by training and neuropsychiatrist by specialty, Dr. Leuchter completed residency training in Neurology and Psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Leuchter served as Director of Clinical Neuropsychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and maintains a voluntary faculty appointment in the Department of Psychiatry.
Dr. Leuchter has also held multiple financial services roles including biotechnology equity research at Goldman Sachs, healthcare investment banking at Credits Suisse, and biotechnology mergers and acquisitions at PJT Partners, all of which drive a nuanced understanding of the biotechnology industry and particularly the neuroscience ecosystem.
Dr. Leuchter is Co-Founder and Founding Neuropsychiatrist of a digital therapeutics company, Click Therapeutics, which specializes in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. He serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Daedelus Fund for Innovation at Weill Cornell Medical College, as a member of the Life Science Institute Leadership Council at the University of Michigan, as a member of the Advisory Board at Michigan Drug Discovery, and as a Business Advisory Board member at FOXG1 Research Foundation.