Bergen, Norway, 24 August 2026 – Pluvia Biotech (Pluvia), a biotechnology company developing novel therapies for phenylketonuria (PKU), today announced the appointment of Deborah Ramsdell as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Current CEO Willem van Weperen will transition to Pluvia’s Board of Directors, where he will remain involved as the company prepares to advance its lead candidate, PBAS499, into clinical development.
Deborah Ramsdell brings more than three decades of biotechnology leadership, regulatory and clinical development experience, with a strong focus on rare diseases. Most recently, she was co-founder and CEO/COO of Phoenicis Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on rare dermatological disorders. Previously, she served as President and CEO of Valerion Therapeutics, focused on rare neuromuscular disorders, and held senior regulatory and clinical operations roles at Enobia /Alexion. Ramsdell also served on the Board of Orphan Technologies, a clinical-stage rare disease company that was successfully acquired in 2020. Based in the US, she brings an extensive network across US rare disease and biotechnology communities.
“Pluvia has built a compelling scientific foundation for PBAS499 and reached an exciting point in its development,” said Ramsdell. “I am delighted to join the company as we prepare to move PBAS499 into the clinic and look forward to working with the team, Board, investors and PKU community to bring a meaningful new treatment option to people living with PKU.”
Sveinung Hole, Chairman of the Board of Pluvia Biotech, said: “Deborah’s appointment comes at an important point in Pluvia’s evolution. Her extensive rare disease experience, her network in the US, and practical development expertise make her ideally suited to lead Pluvia through its next stage of development. We are delighted to welcome Deborah and thank Willem for his leadership in bringing Pluvia and PBAS499 to this stage. We are equally pleased that he will continue to support the company as a member of the Board.”
About PKU
PKU, also known as Følling’s disease (named after the Norwegian physician Ivar Asbjørn Følling, the first to identify the disease in 1934), is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the body’s inability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine (Phe) due to a deficiency in the enzyme PAH, caused by genetic variants. This results in the accumulation of Phe in the bloodstream, leading to intellectual disabilities and other neurological problems if left untreated. Patients need to follow a strict lifelong diet low in Phe, which is found in most protein sources, to prevent cognitive impairment. Convenient oral pharmacological therapy options are needed to help patients to normalize protein intake, while keeping blood phenylalanine levels within recommended ranges.
About Pluvia Biotech
Pluvia Biotech is a spin-out from the University of Bergen (Norway) dedicated to addressing orphan diseases caused by protein misfolding and having a high unmet medical need. The company’s lead program is focused on developing a “first in class” oral pharmacological chaperone treatment of PKU. Through pioneering research and development, Pluvia aims to provide PKU patients with an innovative disease modifying and corrective therapy, and the opportunity to live life without the dietary constraints imposed by the condition. Pluvia’s progress is supported by investors Sarsia, Investinor, Trond Mohn Foundation, Mid Atlantic Bio Angels, Tidligfasekapital Vestland and the NPKUA.
For more information about Pluvia Biotech and its innovative work in PKU treatment development, please visit www.pluviabiotech.com.
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