MucoLife Therapeutics Appoints Dr. Maarten Kraan to Board of Directors to Accelerate Development of First-in-Class Mucus Modulating Therapies
Gothenburg, Sweden – [April 11, 2025] – MucoLife Therapeutics, a biotech company pioneering inhaled therapies for pulmonary mucus obstruction, announced today the appointment of Maarten Kraan, MD, PhD, to its Board of Directors.
A globally recognized expert in inflammation, respiratory medicine, and translational drug development, Dr. Kraan brings over 25 years of leadership experience from major pharmaceutical and biotech companies including AstraZeneca, Roche, Schering-Plough, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Dr. Kraan has spearheaded numerous clinical programs across immunology, inflammation, and respiratory diseases, including the development of Symbicort, Benralizumab, and the acquisition and integration of Pearl Therapeutics into AstraZeneca—critical for its inhaled therapy portfolio.
"Joining the board of MucoLife Therapeutics is a compelling opportunity," said Dr. Maarten Kraan. "Their first-in-class mucus modulating platform represents a transformative approach to treating diseases such as cystic fibrosis and COPD. I’m excited to support the team as they move their lead compound MLT-001 into clinical trials and advance the standard of care for patients living with severe mucus obstruction."
MucoLife Therapeutics' lead asset, MLT-001, is a patented inhaled therapy that dissolves pathological mucus plugs, the underlying cause of recurring respiratory infections and inflammation. The company is preparing for first-in-human studies targeting cystic fibrosis and other muco-obstructive lung diseases.
“Maarten’s addition to our board is a huge milestone,” said Anders Waas, Chairman of the Board. “He brings unmatched expertise in translational medicine and global drug development strategy. His insights will be invaluable as we prepare to enter clinical trials and scale MucoLife Therapeutics into a global company in the respiratory space.”
Dr. Kraan’s academic contributions span more than 160 peer-reviewed publications and over 8,000 citations in the fields of immunology, rheumatology, and respiratory medicine. He has also mentored a generation of physician-scientists across Europe and the United States, and has been instrumental in shaping clinical trial design in inflammatory and respiratory diseases.
“We’re honored to welcome Maarten to our board,” said Thaher Pelaseyed, PhD, CEO of MucoLife Therapeutics. “Maarten’s track record speaks for itself—from leading drug development portfolios worth billions to advising some of the world’s most innovative biotech firms. His vision and experience will help us de-risk our clinical path and execute with confidence.”
With the appointment of Dr. Kraan, MucoLife Therapeutics further strengthens its leadership team ahead of a planned financing round to support Phase 1 clinical development.
About MucoLife Therapeutics
MucoLife Therapeutics pioneers a novel approach for treating mucus obstruction in cystic fibrosis and COPD. MLT-001 is the company’s first-in-class asset that dissolves mucus plugs in the airways, thereby improving lung function and preventing chronic inflammation and infections.
Press contact MucoLife Therapeutics:
Thaher Pelaseyed, PhD
Co-founder/CEO
MucoLife Therapeutics
tpelaseyed@mucolife.com
+46 733 79 43 47