Vistagen Appoints Nick Tressler as Chief Financial Officer, Strengthening Leadership Team Amid Growth and Clinical Milestones
Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc. a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering neuroscience innovations through nose-to-brain neurocircuitry, today announced the appointment of Nick Tressler as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective December 1, 2025. This strategic leadership addition comes as Vistagen continues advancing its pipeline of intranasal product candidates known as pherines, a novel class of therapies designed to address neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.
Shawn Singh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vistagen, welcomed Mr. Tressler, noting the significance of his experience for the company’s next phase of growth. “I am excited to welcome Nick to Vistagen as our CFO. His financial and strategic acumen, coupled with extensive operational experience in the biopharmaceutical sector, will be instrumental as we accelerate into the next chapter of our journey,” said Mr. Singh. “Nick’s addition strengthens our leadership team and enhances our ability to execute on our vision of bringing innovative, life-changing therapies to patients. We look forward to his contributions across our organization as we continue building momentum in both clinical development and corporate growth.”
A Proven Leader in Biopharmaceutical Finance
Nick Tressler brings more than two decades of experience in financial leadership roles across the life sciences industry, providing guidance to companies navigating complex growth, operational expansion, and transformative strategic initiatives. Prior to joining Vistagen, Mr. Tressler served as CFO of DYNEX Technologies, a position in which he oversaw financial operations and strategic planning, helping the company optimize its operational efficiency and financial performance.
Before his tenure at DYNEX Technologies, Mr. Tressler held CFO roles at American Gene Technologies International and Senseonics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SENS), further solidifying his track record in leading financial strategies for innovative life sciences organizations. He also held senior finance positions at Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Mallinckrodt in 2018, and MedImmune LLC, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca PLC (Nasdaq: AZN), which was acquired in 2007.
Mr. Tressler’s career is marked by his ability to balance financial stewardship with strategic growth initiatives, particularly in the dynamic environment of biopharmaceutical development. He holds an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, Robert H. Smith School of Business, providing him with a strong foundation in both finance and business leadership.
Commitment to Innovation and Patient-Centered Growth
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining Vistagen, Mr. Tressler stated, “It’s an honor to join Vistagen at such a pivotal moment in the company’s evolution. The organization is on the cusp of significant clinical milestones, with a robust pipeline of therapies aimed at addressing unmet needs in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. I am excited to collaborate with our talented team to advance strategic priorities while implementing financial strategies that focus on long-term value creation for our shareholders.”
Vistagen’s innovative approach centers around pherines, a new class of intranasal therapeutics designed to leverage nose-to-brain neurocircuitry. This approach allows targeted modulation of neural pathways implicated in conditions such as social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and other central nervous system disorders. By pioneering this route of administration, Vistagen aims to develop treatments that are both highly effective and convenient for patients, potentially transforming standard care practices in neuropsychiatry.
Strategic Incentive Aligned with Long-Term Goals
In connection with his appointment, Vistagen announced that the Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors granted Mr. Tressler an incentive option to purchase up to 150,000 shares of Vistagen’s common stock. This inducement grant aligns with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and is designed to support Mr. Tressler’s long-term commitment to the company’s strategic and financial objectives.
The stock option has an exercise price equal to the closing price of Vistagen’s common stock on December 1, 2025. Vesting is structured to promote long-term alignment, with 25% of the shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the grant and the remaining shares vesting monthly over the subsequent 36 months. This structure reflects Vistagen’s emphasis on retaining top-tier executive talent while ensuring that leadership incentives are closely tied to shareholder value creation and corporate performance.
Positioned for Growth and Clinical Advancements
Vistagen is currently advancing multiple clinical programs, each aimed at addressing critical unmet needs in central nervous system disorders. The company’s intranasal pherine candidates have shown potential in early clinical studies to provide rapid-onset effects with a favorable safety profile, positioning them as differentiated options in a crowded neuropsychiatric treatment landscape.
The appointment of a seasoned financial leader like Nick Tressler supports Vistagen’s broader growth strategy, which includes not only advancing clinical development programs but also optimizing corporate infrastructure, strengthening investor relations, and ensuring sustainable financial performance as the company prepares for future commercialization opportunities.
Leadership Team Expansion Reflects Strategic Focus
Mr. Singh emphasized that Mr. Tressler’s appointment underscores Vistagen’s commitment to building a leadership team capable of guiding the company through pivotal stages of development and growth. “Adding a CFO of Nick’s caliber enhances our ability to execute our strategic priorities effectively,” said Mr. Singh. “His experience navigating complex financial and operational landscapes in the life sciences sector will be invaluable as we continue to pursue transformative therapies for patients and deliver long-term value to our shareholders.”
The company’s executive leadership team, which combines deep expertise in clinical development, regulatory affairs, and corporate strategy, is well-positioned to drive Vistagen’s mission forward. The integration of Mr. Tressler’s financial leadership is expected to complement existing strengths and provide additional rigor and insight into financial planning, capital allocation, and corporate governance.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Vistagen aims to continue its trajectory of innovation by advancing pherine-based therapies through late-stage clinical trials and regulatory pathways. The company’s focus on leveraging cutting-edge science to develop treatments that improve patient outcomes remains at the core of its strategy, and the addition of a CFO with Mr. Tressler’s experience signals a strong commitment to disciplined financial management alongside scientific excellence.
Mr. Tressler concluded, “I am eager to contribute to Vistagen’s mission at a time when the company is making meaningful strides in clinical development. Together with our leadership team and dedicated staff, we will work to ensure that our financial strategies support the company’s growth ambitions, our ongoing clinical programs, and, most importantly, the delivery of innovative treatments to patients who need them.”
With a deep pipeline, experienced leadership team, and a differentiated approach to neuropsychiatric therapy development, Vistagen continues to position itself as a leader in the biopharmaceutical sector. The appointment of Nick Tressler as CFO further strengthens the company’s foundation for achieving its clinical and corporate objectives while advancing shareholder value.
Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a new standard in neuroscience by leveraging nose-to-brain neurocircuitry to develop pherines, a novel class of intranasal product candidates. The company’s mission is to improve the lives of patients with neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders through innovative, effective, and patient-friendly therapies. Vistagen’s leadership team combines scientific expertise, clinical development experience, and strategic financial management to advance its pipeline of transformative treatments.
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