Summary: Cilcare appointed Bettina Cockroft, MD, as its new Chief Medical Officer, leveraging more than 30 years of expertise in clinical development and biopharmaceutical innovation to drive breakthroughs in hearing disorder therapies.
Takeaways:
- Leadership Appointment: Bettina Cockroft, MD, joins Cilcare as Chief Medical Officer, bringing extensive experience in clinical development, medical affairs, and regulatory strategy.
- Expertise in Hearing Disorders: Cockroft’s background includes leading clinical programs for cochlear synaptopathy, sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus, highlighting her deep commitment to auditory health.
- Global Perspective: With an MBA from MIT Sloan, multilingual fluency, and a career spanning Europe and the U.S., Cockroft adds a unique global outlook to Cilcare’s mission of addressing unmet needs in hearing disorder treatments.
Cilcare, a biotechnology company specializing in auditory sciences, announced the appointment of Bettina M. Cockroft, MD, as its new chief medical officer. With over three decades of experience in clinical development, medical affairs, and a strong background in the biopharmaceutical industry, Cockroft brings a wealth of expertise in advancing innovative therapies for hearing disorders, particularly cochlear synaptopathy and sensorineural hearing loss.
A Career in Biopharmaceutical Therapies for Hearing Disorders
Cockroft’s distinguished career spans several senior roles in both large pharmaceutical companies and biotech organizations. Currently serving on the board of directors for two U.S.-based public biotech companies, she leverages her extensive expertise in clinical development and strategy, including her prior experience as chief medical officer at Auris Medical, where she led clinical development programs focused on ear disorders, including tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss. Bettina has also held leadership roles at Sangamo Therapeutics and other U.S. biotechs, where she was instrumental in clinical strategy, regulatory affairs, and the successful development of cutting-edge therapies. Her diverse background includes significant experience in neurology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases.
Previously, Cockroft spent nearly a decade at Merck Serono, where she led the Neurology Clinical Development Unit from Geneva and Boston. As head of global clinical development for Multiple Sclerosis, she oversaw the successful development and lifecycle management of several neurology treatments, driving global clinical initiatives and navigating complex regulatory challenges.
“Bettina’s extensive experience in clinical development and her leadership in bringing innovative therapies to market make her a perfect fit for Cilcare’s mission to address unmet needs in the hearing disorder space,” says Celia Belline, CEO of Cilcare. “We are thrilled to have Bettina on board as we continue to advance our pipeline and focus on developing novel treatments entering clinical trials, including CIL001, for cochlear synaptopathy and related conditions.”
Further Reading
Bettina holds an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and is a trained neurologist with clinical neurophysiopathology specialization from the University of Genoa, Italy. Fluent in English, German, and Italian, she brings a multicultural, global perspective to the team, combining her European and US-based expertise.
“I’m truly excited to join Cilcare and contribute to the company’s groundbreaking work in hearing health,” says Bettina. “Cilcare’s dual culture, bringing together the energy of the U.S. and the innovation that flows from both the U.S. and France, deeply resonates with me. I’ve always had a personal interest in hearing health, and my experience at Auris has deepened my commitment to this field. I’m inspired by the immense potential at Cilcare and look forward to collaborating with the talented team to advance CIL001 and other promising therapies that can change the lives of those affected by hearing disorders.”
Image: Bettina M. Cockroft, MD, Cilcare’s new chief medical officer. Photo: Cilcare