Scenic Aims To Move 'Genetic Modifiers' Science Forward

An interview with Scenic Biotech CEO Oscar Izeboud

Co-founded by Sebastian Nijman and Thijn Brummelkamp in 2017, Scenic Biotech is a spinout of the Netherlands Cancer Institute and Oxford University. It was established with a focus on identifying genetic modifiers, or genes that suppress or block the disease-causing effects of a mutated gene in the body. In Vivo spoke with incoming CEO Oscar Izeboud about the company’s next steps, and the potential for genetic modifiers to address unmet needs in the rare disease space, and beyond.

Izeboud_Oscar_1200.jpg
Scenic Biotech CEO Oscar Izeboud • Source: Scenic Biotech

For the past 15 years, Oscar Izeboud worked in corporate finance, conducting equity research and then managing M&A and equity capital market transactions in life sciences at Kempen & Co, a Dutch merchant bank, before joining NIBC Bank as managing director of corporate finance, capital markets. But it was during his earlier experience at

Crucell N.V., a Netherlands-based biotech acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2011, that he “really started to enjoy the combination of science, licensing, capital markets and growing a company.”...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Global Vision

Chinese Firms Build Obesity Clinical Pipeline But Face Wider Hurdles

 
• By 

Despite the ability to initiate clinical trials quickly and having strong manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies are facing multiple challenges in the obesity space.

Unpacking The Impact Of Trump’s Tariffs On Drug Pricing And Production

 
• By 

Big pharma plans to invest billions of dollars in US manufacturing to avoid tariffs proposed by the Trump Administration. However, the implementation of these plans may be delayed due to regulatory complexities and rising costs from tariffs, potentially impacting drug prices for consumers.

Barcelona’s S2 Xpeed Accelerates Hardware-Based Medtech Start-Ups From Prototype To Market

 
• By 

S2 Xpeed is driving the rapid growth of medtech and hardware start-ups in Europe. Operating under a "sweat equity" model, the program helps early-stage companies move from prototype to manufacturing readiness in exchange for equity.

Rising Leaders 2025: Partnerships Propel Crystal Qin’s LaNova To Record-Breaking Merck Deal

 
• By 

Crystal Qin has led LaNova Medicines’ swift rise in the biotech world through strategic partnerships and innovative R&D, highlighted by a record deal with big pharma.

More from In Vivo

US Health System Redesign Critical, NAM’s Medical Experts Warn Trump Government

 
• By 

The whirlwind back-and-forth on US tariffs and Robert F. Kennedy jr.’s plans to deregulate health care have become all-preoccupying, but the National Academy of Medicine was first to set out President Trump’s health administration priorities.

Podcast: “Powerful Yet Unexplored”: Commit Biologics Tackles The Complement System

 

Mikkel Wandahl Pederson, CEO and chief scientific officer at Commit Biologics, discussed the company’s mission to harness the powerful complement system for the treatment of serious diseases.

ML-Assisted Genetic Risk Score Predicts GLP-1 Adverse Events

 
• By 

Phenomix Science presented new data at Digestive Disease Week 2025 showing its machine learning-assisted genetic risk score can predict nausea and side effects from GLP-1 receptor agonists, aiding personalized obesity treatment.