Capricor Therapeutics Expands Commercial Leadership Team
--Michael Maurer joins as Chief Commercial Officer, further strengthening Capricor’s launch readiness efforts for Deramiocel in Duchenne muscular dystrophy--
SAN DIEGO, May 28, 2026 -- Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR), a biotechnology company developing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics for rare diseases, today announced the appointment of Michael Maurer as Chief Commercial Officer, effective immediately.
With two decades of experience across rare disease commercialization, patient access, and launch strategy, Mr. Maurer will bolster the Company’s existing commercial leadership team as it advances preparations for the potential launch of Deramiocel, Capricor’s investigational cell therapy for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Complementing the Company's current commercial capabilities, Mr. Maurer will bring deep expertise across specialty pharmacy and distribution, reimbursement strategy, patient support services, and launch execution for complex biologic therapies.
Through roles at Amicus Therapeutics (now part of BioMarin), Sarepta Therapeutics, and Bristol Myers Squibb, Mr. Maurer has led commercial and patient-focused initiatives for specialty medicines across neuromuscular disorders, neuroscience, and immunology. At Sarepta, he was responsible for the U.S. launch of ELEVIDYS, an FDA-approved gene therapy for DMD, and oversaw the commercial strategy for the company's approved RNA therapies.
“Michael’s experience supporting the Duchenne community and helping bring complex rare disease therapies to patients makes him an exceptional addition to Capricor’s leadership team,” said Linda Marbán, Ph.D., CEO of Capricor. “We have made strategic investments in our commercial readiness capabilities and assembled a highly experienced team to support a thoughtful and sustainable launch strategy for Deramiocel. Michael’s leadership further strengthens our ability to prepare for commercialization while keeping DMD patients and families at the center of everything we do.”
In his role at Capricor, Mr. Maurer will oversee the Company's global commercial organization and launch readiness efforts, including market access, patient support, distribution strategy, and operational planning. Together with his team, he will work to ensure a coordinated and patient-centered approach to execution as the Company advances toward its August 22, 2026 PDUFA date for Deramiocel.
About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, X-linked genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration affecting the skeletal, respiratory, and cardiac muscles. It is caused by the absence of functional dystrophin, a key structural protein in muscle cells. DMD affects approximately 15,000 individuals in the United States and primarily impacts boys. Over time, deterioration of the heart muscle leads to cardiomyopathy and heart failure, which is the leading cause of death in DMD. There is no cure, and treatment options remain limited.
About Deramiocel
Deramiocel (CAP-1002) consists of allogeneic cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs), a rare population of cardiac cells that have been shown in preclinical and clinical studies to exert potent immunomodulatory and anti-fibrotic actions in the preservation of cardiac and skeletal muscle function in muscular dystrophies such as DMD. CDCs act by secreting extracellular vesicles known as exosomes, which target macrophages and alter their expression profile to adopt a healing rather than pro-inflammatory phenotype. CDCs have been investigated in more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications and administered to over 250 human subjects across multiple clinical trials.
Deramiocel has received Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of DMD from both the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In addition, it has been granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation in the U.S., Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) designation in Europe, and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from the FDA, which may qualify Capricor for a Priority Review Voucher upon approval.
About Capricor Therapeutics
Capricor Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CAPR) is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing transformative cell and exosome-based therapeutics to redefine the treatment landscape for rare diseases. At the forefront of our innovation is our lead product candidate, Deramiocel, an allogeneic cardiac-derived cell therapy that is currently in late-stage development for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Extensive preclinical and clinical data have demonstrated Deramiocel’s potent immunomodulatory and anti-fibrotic effects in helping to preserve cardiac and skeletal muscle function in DMD. Capricor is also leveraging the power of its exosome technology, using its proprietary StealthX™ platform in preclinical development focused on vaccinology and the targeted delivery of oligonucleotides, proteins, and small-molecule therapeutics, with the potential to treat and prevent a wide range of diseases. At Capricor, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of possibility and forging a path toward transformative treatments for those in need. For more information, visit capricor.com, and follow Capricor on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release regarding the efficacy, safety, and intended utilization of Capricor’s product candidates; the initiation, conduct, size, timing and results of clinical trials; the pace of enrollment of clinical trials; plans regarding regulatory filings, future research and clinical trials; regulatory developments involving products, including future interactions with regulatory authorities and the ability to obtain regulatory approvals or otherwise bring products to market; manufacturing capabilities; dates for regulatory meetings; the potential that required regulatory inspections may be delayed or not be successful which would delay or prevent product approval, revenue and reimbursement estimates, projected terms of definitive agreements, our financial position, our possible uses of existing cash and investment resources, and statements regarding our litigation with Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. and NS Pharma, Inc., including the nature of the dispute, our expectations regarding any legal proceedings, and our ability to commercialize Deramiocel independent of our existing distribution agreement and any other statements about Capricor’s management team’s future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. More information about these and other risks that may impact Capricor’s business is set forth in Capricor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2026 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2026. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Capricor as of the date hereof, and Capricor assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Deramiocel and the StealthX™ vaccine are investigational candidates and have not been approved for commercial use in any indication.
For more information, please contact:
Capricor Media Contact:
Caitlin Kasunich
KCSA Strategic Communications
ckasunich@kcsa.com
212.896.1241
Capricor Company Contact:
AJ Bergmann, Chief Financial Officer
abergmann@capricor.com
858.727.1755
Released May 28, 2026