Eric Crombez, M.D., Class of 2000, has joined Dimension Therapeutics Inc., a gene therapy company advancing novel treatments for hemophilia and rare diseases, as chief medical officer.

Dr. Crombez will head the team advancing the company's development pipeline of novel gene therapy candidates into clinical testing. Dimension's program in hemophilia B is scheduled to begin clinical testing in 2015.

"Gene therapy is coming of age, following the first product approval in Europe and the continued validation and clinical proof of concept for the new generation of novel adeno-associated virus products now transforming the field," Dr. Crombez said. "It's an exciting time for this area of medicine, holding great promise for families affected by rare genetic disorders."

Dr. Crombez brings to Dimension extensive experience and expertise in the development and execution of clinical development programs for rare genetic disorders. In his former role as medical director and senior medical director of Global Clinical Development for the company Shire, he played a key role in the advancement of the pivotal trials and global marketing registration submissions for VPRIV™ (velaglucerase alfa for injection), an enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of Type 1 Gaucher disease. He also was instrumental in the translation of Shire's intrathecal enzyme replacement therapy program for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy from research to clinical trials.

He previously served as assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.