Seraxis and Sernova Biotherapeutics have appointed Patricia Beaston, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer of Seraxis. Following the companies’ proposed merger to form BetaNova Biotherapeutics, Beaston is expected to assume the same role at the combined company.
Beaston joins as Seraxis prepares to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of SR-02, a stem cell-derived islet cell therapy being developed for type 1 diabetes, with first patient dosing targeted for the first quarter of 2027. Her appointment strengthens the company’s clinical and regulatory leadership as it advances its therapeutic pipeline.
“Patricia brings an exceptional combination of clinical expertise and regulatory experience that is directly relevant to our programs,” said Will Rust, Ph.D., President and CEO of Seraxis.
About Dr. Patricia Beaston
Beaston brings 24 years of experience as a Medical Officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with expertise in endocrine therapeutics, medical devices, islet cell transplantation, and cell and gene therapies.
During her FDA career, she served across three major centers: the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). Her most recent responsibilities included reviewing islet cell transplantation, immune modulation in type 1 diabetes, cell and gene therapies, and xenotransplantation.
Beaston earned her M.D. and Ph.D. in Anatomy and Neurobiology from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Maryland. She completed her internal medicine residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and a fellowship in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism at Penn State/Hershey.
As Chief Medical Officer, Beaston will help guide clinical development and regulatory strategy as Seraxis and the proposed BetaNova advance cell-based therapies for type 1 diabetes.
“I am excited to join Seraxis at such an important stage of its development as it merges with Sernova to become BetaNova.”
About Seraxis and Sernova Biotherapeutics
The companies’ proposed merger would establish BetaNova Biotherapeutics, combining Seraxis’ stem cell-derived islet technology and manufacturing capabilities with Sernova’s Cell Pouch platform. The combined company’s lead program, SR-02, has received FDA clearance to begin a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, with initial patient dosing targeted for early 2027. The merger remains subject to closing conditions.
