Ramzi Benamar

Tortugas Neuroscience, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing medicines for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, has appointed Ramzi Benamar as Chief Financial Officer.

Benamar brings experience across capital formation, corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, operational scaling and commercial launch preparation. His background spans multiple life sciences companies and includes leadership of financial and strategic initiatives supporting corporate growth.

Before joining Tortugas, Benamar served as Chief Financial Officer of Bellus Health, where he helped lead the company through its $2 billion acquisition by GSK. Most recently, he served as CFO of Apnimed, where his responsibilities included capital allocation and commercialization planning.

Earlier in his career, Benamar held CFO positions at DBV Technologies and Elucida Oncology. He also held senior leadership roles at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies including Spark Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, Shire and Merck.

At Tortugas, Benamar will support the company’s financial and corporate strategy as it advances its clinical-stage pipeline. Launched in April 2026, Tortugas is developing four assets targeting CNS conditions including schizophrenia, tinnitus, focal epilepsy and reversible encephalopathies.

The company’s pipeline includes small-molecule new chemical entities in-licensed from Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group and Eisai. The programs were selected based on their pharmacology and available clinical and translational data, with the company focused on advancing candidates through established clinical and regulatory pathways.

Benamar holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University, along with a master’s degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

His appointment adds financial and transaction expertise to Tortugas as the company progresses its clinical development programs and prepares for future growth.