Aurion Biotech, Inc. (Aurion), a company dedicated to restoring vision for millions through transformative regenerative therapies, has announced the appointment of Donald Munoz as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Munoz will report directly to Greg Kunst, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and will play a pivotal role in the company’s financial strategy and growth.
Leadership Addition Strengthening Financial Strategy
Aurion Biotech aims to revolutionize vision restoration with its innovative regenerative therapies, particularly for patients suffering from corneal endothelial disease. With Donald Munoz stepping in as CFO, the company is poised to strengthen its financial operations and accelerate the development of its lead candidate, AURN001.
“We are delighted to welcome Don to our executive team,” said Greg Kunst, Aurion’s CEO. “Don’s track record of strategic and operational financial leadership, coupled with his extensive experience as a healthcare investment banker, make him an ideal addition to Aurion.”
Munoz expressed his enthusiasm about joining Aurion Biotech at such a critical phase in its growth. “I’m thrilled to join Aurion as CFO,” said Munoz. “I believe that Aurion’s lead product candidate, AURN001, has significant potential to treat corneal endothelial disease, which can lead to blindness. I look forward to working with the Aurion team to bring this cell therapy to patients in need.”
Donald Munoz’s Extensive Financial and Healthcare Expertise
With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Donald Munoz brings deep financial acumen and industry insight to his new role. Prior to joining Aurion, he served as CFO of NuCana plc (NASDAQ: NCNA), a publicly traded biotechnology company focused on oncology therapeutics. During his tenure at NuCana, Munoz led key financial initiatives, including:
- Overseeing financial management, investor relations, and SEC reporting.
- Managing audit, tax, and financial planning and analysis.
- Leading NuCana’s successful $114 million Nasdaq initial public offering (IPO) and an $80 million follow-on offering.
Before NuCana, Munoz held the CFO position at NOXXON Pharma N.V., a venture-backed biotechnology company. His career also includes two decades in healthcare investment banking, where he played instrumental roles in the medical technology franchises of major firms such as Cowen & Company, LLC, Leerink Partners LLC, and Deutsche Bank AG, following its acquisition of Alex. Brown & Sons. Over the course of his banking career, Munoz executed more than 100 financing and strategic advisory transactions.
Munoz holds an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a B.A. from Dartmouth College, further underscoring his strong academic and professional credentials.
Strategic Growth and Clinical Milestones
Aurion Biotech’s appointment of Munoz comes on the heels of its announcement of positive six-month top-line data from the CLARA Phase 1/2 clinical trial in the United States and Canada in December 2024. This trial is evaluating AURN001, an advanced cell therapy aimed at addressing corneal endothelial disease, a leading cause of blindness.
As Aurion advances toward regulatory approvals and potential commercialization, Munoz’s financial expertise will be instrumental in shaping the company’s corporate strategy, funding initiatives, and market expansion plans. His leadership will be key in driving operational efficiencies and maximizing investor confidence.
About Aurion Biotech, Inc.
mission is to restore vision to millions of patients with life-changing regenerative therapies. It received the prestigious Prix Galien award for best start-up in biotech in 2022. is advancing AURN001, an investigational, single-administration, allogeneic cell therapy to treat corneal edema secondary to corneal endothelial dysfunction. developed and has launched the first commercially available corneal endothelial cell therapy in Japan. To learn more, visit www.aurionbiotech.com.
