Sensorion CEO Steps Down Abruptly; Chairman Takes Helm Amid Pipeline Push

MONTPELLIER, France – February 17, 2026 – In a sudden move that has caught the attention of the European biotech sector, Sensorion announced today that Chief Executive Officer Nawal Ouzren is stepping down from her role and her seat on the Board of Directors, effective immediately. The company cited a “personal matter incompatible with serving as Chief Executive Officer” as the reason for the departure.

Taking the helm as Interim CEO is Amit Munshi, the current Chairman of Sensorion’s Board. The company has confirmed that the board has already commenced a search for a permanent successor. To ensure a seamless handover during a pivotal period for the company, Ms. Ouzren will remain temporarily as a consultant.

The leadership shake-up comes at a critical moment for the clinical-stage biotechnology firm, which specializes in developing novel therapies for hearing loss disorders. The news follows just weeks after Sensorion successfully secured a major financing deal, positioning it for a series of crucial clinical milestones.

A Transition in a Time of Strength

The timing of Ms. Ouzren’s departure is particularly notable. On January 28, 2026, Sensorion announced a €60 million private placement, a significant capital injection led by a strategic investment from pharmaceutical giant Sanofi. The financing, which also saw participation from top-tier healthcare investors, was hailed as a transformative milestone, extending the company’s cash runway through the first half of 2027 and securing the resources needed to advance its most promising assets.

Ms. Ouzren, who has led Sensorion since 2017, acknowledged the company's strong footing in her farewell statement. “While unexpected, my departure comes at a time when the Company is well positioned to execute on its clinical and corporate development plan having recently completed an important financing milestone,” she commented. “I leave the Company with a strong management team in place and will work with Amit to facilitate a smooth transition.”

Her tenure saw Sensorion pivot towards becoming a leader in gene therapies for hearing loss. The recent funding round, anchored by Sanofi's new strategic stake of approximately 13-14%, was a clear validation of that strategy and the progress made under her leadership. The immediate challenge for the company is to reassure investors that this strategic momentum will not be lost.

An Experienced Hand at the Helm

To navigate this transition, the board has turned to its chairman, Amit Munshi, a seasoned executive with a formidable reputation in the biopharmaceutical industry. His appointment as Interim CEO sends a strong signal of stability. With over 30 years of experience, Munshi is widely regarded as a turnaround expert and a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of creating shareholder value.

His most notable success came as President and CEO of Arena Pharmaceuticals, which he transformed from a company with a $300 million market capitalization into a highly sought-after asset acquired by Pfizer for $6.7 billion in 2022. Prior to that, he co-founded Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Allergan for $2.1 billion in 2015. His extensive resume also includes leadership roles at Orna Therapeutics, ReNAgade Therapeutics, and Amgen.

Mr. Munshi’s deep experience in steering clinical-stage companies through critical development phases and strategic transactions will be invaluable. “On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank Nawal for her exceptional leadership during her tenure as Chief Executive Officer,” Munshi stated. “I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and the management team to maintain our clinical development timelines and corporate growth objectives.”

Focus Remains on Groundbreaking Hearing Loss Therapies

Despite the change in the C-suite, the company’s core mission and scientific trajectory appear unchanged. The primary purpose of the recent €60 million financing is to aggressively advance Sensorion's pipeline of next-generation gene therapies, which target the root genetic causes of deafness.

The highest priority is SENS-601 (GJB2-GT), a program aimed at treating hearing loss caused by mutations in the GJB2 gene. These mutations are the most frequent cause of congenital deafness and are also implicated in early-onset hearing loss in adults. The company confirmed it remains on track to submit a clinical trial application (CTA) for SENS-601 in the first quarter of 2026, a major catalyst for the firm.

Alongside this, Sensorion expects to report key data from another of its flagship programs in Q1 2026. The company is scheduled to release 6-month follow-up data from the second cohort of its Phase 1/2 Audiogene trial for SENS-501. This therapy targets deafness caused by mutations in the gene responsible for producing otoferlin. The trial has progressed smoothly, with a Data Monitoring Committee previously recommending its continuation.

Sensorion's portfolio is further diversified by SENS-401 (Arazasetron), a clinical-stage small molecule being studied for the prevention of cisplatin-induced hearing loss and the preservation of residual hearing in cochlear implant patients. This breadth underscores the company’s multi-pronged approach to tackling the significant unmet medical need in hearing disorders.

Market Reaction and the Path Forward

News of an unexpected CEO departure often creates uncertainty, and Sensorion's stock (ALSEN.PA) reflected this caution with a modest decline in the days leading up to and including the announcement. Investors will be closely watching for any signs of disruption to the company's ambitious clinical and corporate timelines.

The immediate appointment of a leader with Mr. Munshi’s credentials seems designed to quell such concerns and provide a steady hand during the transition. The board’s active search for a permanent CEO will be a key focus in the coming months. The challenge will be to find a leader who can not only maintain the current scientific momentum but also build upon the strategic and financial foundation that has just been solidified. For now, the mission is clear: execute on the promise of its pipeline and deliver the value inflection points that the recent financing was designed to achieve.