BOOST Pharma Taps Biotech Veteran to Lead Revolutionary Brittle Bone Disease Therapy Push

STOCKHOLM – February 10, 2026 – Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company BOOST Pharma has appointed seasoned biotech entrepreneur Dr. Hans Schambye as its new Chief Executive Officer, a strategic move poised to accelerate the development of a potentially transformative treatment for Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as Brittle Bone Disease.

The appointment comes as the company prepares to advance its lead candidate, BT-101, into pivotal Phase III trials. The cell therapy has already demonstrated a dramatic reduction in bone fractures for children suffering from the severe genetic disorder, a condition for which no disease-modifying treatments are currently approved.

A Seasoned Hand at the Helm

Dr. Schambye, who previously served on BOOST Pharma’s Board of Directors, is a highly regarded figure in the biotechnology sector with a formidable track record. His career is marked by successfully guiding companies from early discovery phases to late-stage clinical development and securing substantial financial backing.

Before joining BOOST, Schambye was the President and CEO of Galecto Inc., a company he led through a successful IPO on the Nasdaq and raised over $500 million in funding to advance its pipeline. His extensive experience also includes CEO roles at ReceptIcon and Gastrotech Pharma A/S, as well as leadership positions at Maxygen in the United States. His background as a co-founder of ProFound Pharma A/S, which was later acquired by Maxygen, underscores his entrepreneurial acumen. Armed with an MD and a PhD in Medical Sciences, Schambye brings a rare combination of deep scientific knowledge and proven operational leadership to his new role.

This leadership transition is seen by industry observers as a clear signal of BOOST Pharma’s intent to aggressively pursue its goals. Ingelise Saunders, Chair of BOOST Pharma, highlighted the significance of the timing. “Hans’ transition to CEO comes at a pivotal time for the company,” she stated. “With his deep scientific insight and seasoned operational leadership, Hans is uniquely positioned to accelerate clinical development through its next phase and drive long‑term value‑creation for BOOST.”

Dr. Schambye himself expressed strong conviction in the company's mission. “BOOST Pharma brings together world‑class science, a truly exceptional team, and a late‑stage candidate with the potential to transform the lives of children with osteogenesis imperfecta,” he commented. “The strength of the BT‑101 data to date, combined with its path toward Phase III, is incredibly compelling.”

Beyond Broken Bones: A Glimmer of Hope

Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a cruel and devastating genetic disorder. Affecting an estimated 1 in 15,000 people globally, it is characterized by extremely fragile bones that can fracture with minimal or no trauma. For children with severe forms of OI, life is a cycle of breaks, surgeries, and chronic pain. Simple acts like a sneeze or being lifted from a crib can result in a fracture. Beyond the constant threat of broken bones, patients often endure skeletal deformities, muscle weakness, hearing loss, respiratory complications, and short stature, all of which profoundly impact their quality of life.

Currently, the standard of care is purely supportive. Treatments include bisphosphonate drugs to increase bone density, physical therapy, and surgical interventions like implanting metal rods to reinforce long bones. While helpful, these measures do not address the underlying genetic cause of the disease.

This is where BT-101 offers a paradigm shift. It is an allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy, meaning it uses stem cells from healthy donors that are administered to patients. The therapy is designed to be given to infants with severe OI, aiming to correct the cellular deficit and promote the formation of stronger, healthier bone from an early age.

Results from the Phase I/II BOOSTB4 clinical study have been nothing short of remarkable. Data presented in late 2025 showed that children treated with BT-101 experienced a fracture reduction of approximately 78% by the second year of follow-up compared to their pre-treatment history. Perhaps even more significantly, over half of the children in the trial experienced no fractures at all during the second year, offering a glimpse of a life less defined by pain and injury.

Navigating a Competitive and Promising Landscape

BOOST Pharma is not alone in the race to find a better treatment for OI. The significant unmet need has attracted other biopharmaceutical companies, creating a competitive yet hopeful landscape for patients. Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is advancing Setrusumab, an antibody that inhibits sclerostin to promote bone formation, which has also shown a significant reduction in fractures in its clinical trials and received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA.

Similarly, Amgen’s Romosozumab, already approved for osteoporosis, is being studied in a Phase 3 trial for children with OI. While these antibody-based therapies work by modulating bone biology, BT-101 stands apart with its cell-based approach that aims to fundamentally restore healthy bone-forming capacity early in life.

The promising data from BT-101 has earned it Orphan Drug Designation in both the U.S. and Europe, a status intended to encourage the development of treatments for rare diseases.

Paving the Path to Phase III

Moving a drug candidate into Phase III trials is a monumental and costly undertaking. BOOST Pharma appears well-prepared for this next chapter, supported by a strong syndicate of life-science investors, including Industrifonden, Karolinska Development, and Sound Bioventures. A recent Series A funding round in late 2025, which raised approximately $3.58 million, was specifically aimed at accelerating BT-101's clinical progress.

This financial backing, combined with Schambye's expertise in navigating late-stage clinical and regulatory pathways, provides a solid foundation as the company embarks on the final and most rigorous phase of testing. The upcoming Phase III trial will be crucial in confirming the safety and efficacy of BT-101 in a larger patient population, a necessary step for seeking market approval from regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA.

For the thousands of families affected by Osteogenesis Imperfecta, the advancement of therapies like BT-101 represents more than just scientific progress; it represents the tangible hope for a future where their children can grow, play, and live with fewer broken bones and far less fear.