Spruce Biosciences Welcomes Adrian Quartel as Chief Medical Officer

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Spruce Biosciences announced its appointment of Adrian Quartel, MD, as Chief Medical Officer, effective July 27. A late-stage biopharmaceutical company, Spruce develops and commercializes novel therapies for neurological disorders with significant unmet medical need.

CEO Javier Szwarcberg, MD, said Quartel’s “proven experience in rare disease drug development” would be essential to Spruce moving forward. The company plans a Biologics License Application (BLA) filing for tralesinidase alfa enzyme replacement therapy (TA-ERT). In the BLA, TA-ERT would be indicated to treat Sanfilippo syndrome type B (MPS IIIB), a lysosomal storage disorder.

“Adrian understands the clinical, regulatory, and medical complexities of programs like ours,” Szwarcberg said. “[He has] helped bring multiple enzyme replacement therapies to patients with rare pediatric and genetic disorders, including neurodegenerative disease.”

Quartel CMO Experience

Indeed, internationally, Quartel can boast more than 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His senior roles have included clinical development, pharmacovigilance, and medical affairs.

More specifically, Quartel was most recently Chief Medical Officer at Zevra Therapeutics, and before that Acer Therapeutics and Adamas Pharmaceuticals. Earlier work experience includes BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Astellas, Chiltern, and Icon Clinical Research.

Moving Spruce Forward

“I am excited to join Spruce at a pivotal moment for the company and the MPS IIIB community,” Quartel said. “TA-ERT has the potential to be the first disease-modifying treatment option for children living with this devastating, neurodegenerative disease. There are no FDA-approved therapies today. I look forward to working alongside this talented team to advance TA-ERT toward the market.”

Spruce expects to file the BLA for TA-ERT in MPS IIIB in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company anticipates a commercial launch to follow in due time.