|
EAGAN, Minn.(BUSINESS WIRE)
Biothera has named Robert C. Shepard, M.D., F.A.C.P. as Chief Medical
Officer with responsibility for overseeing the clinical development of
Imprime PGG, the company's targeted immunotherapeutic drug
that works synergistically with monoclonal antibodies in the treatment
of a wide range of cancers, including colorectal and lung cancer.
We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Shepard to the Biothera team,? said
Daniel Conners, president of Biothera's Pharmaceutical Group. His
distinguished career in oncology and experience in clinical development
make him the ideal candidate to lead our clinical development program.?
Shepard Bio
Dr. Shepard's extensive experience includes the complete clinical
development of several drugs and immune therapies for patients with
cancer. Previously he held senior positions at several biotech and
pharmaceutical companies, including senior director and head of U.S.
Oncology at i3 Oncology and medical director of clinical research and
development in oncology at AstraZeneca. Dr. Shepard also was a medical
officer at the oncology branch of CBER at the FDA where he was involved
in the review of Avastin and Erbitux, the
monoclonal antibodies combined with Imprime PGG in Biothera's Phase II
trials in colorectal and lung cancer.
He has 15 years of clinical research experience at Harvard, Tufts,
Hopkins, and the University of Virginia. At UVa, Dr. Shepard was the
principal investigator (PI) for the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group,
and PI for 29 oncology clinical trials.
Dr. Shepard is board-certified in oncology, hematology and internal
medicine. He received an A.B. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Magna cum Laude from Harvard University and a M.D. from the Duke
University School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program.
Biothera Drug Development
Biothera's clinical development program is focused on metastatic
colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Dr. Shepard will
manage all of Biothera's clinical initiatives including:
-
A dual-arm Phase Ib/IIa trial conducted in colorectal cancer patients.
Biothera recently reported at ASCO the results of the first arm of the
trial, which combines Imprime PGG and the standard of care (Erbitux
and Irinotecan). The second arm of the study, which is now
fully enrolled, is evaluating the effectiveness of Imprime PGG and
Erbitux without chemotherapy.
-
A Phase II clinical trial with metastatic colorectal cancer patients
that have a KRAS gene mutation. Launched in May 2009, the trial
combines Imprime PGG and Erbitux.
-
An open-label, randomized Phase II non-small cell lung cancer trial
that combines Imprime PGG with Avastin and Carboplatin and
Paclitaxel.
-
An open-label, randomized Phase II non-small cell lung cancer trial
that combines Imprime PGG with Erbitux and Carboplatin and Paclitaxel.
Both lung cancer trials are expected to begin dosing in the next few
weeks.
Other Personnel Changes
Biothera recently promoted Myra Patchen, Ph.D. to Chief Scientific
Officer, Pharmaceutical Group. Dr. Patchen has been with Biothera for
several years, most recently as executive vice president of
Pharmaceutical Development. She has extensive research experience with
Imprime PGG and other yeast-derived beta glucans.
The company also has named Quanren He, M.D., Ph.D., D.A.B.T., C.C.C.P.,
as Director of Pharmacology/Toxicology. Previously, Dr. He held several
positions at CyDex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Lenexa, Kansas, including
director of drug safety and medical affairs. Dr. He reports to Dr.
Patchen.
We are extremely pleased with the pharmaceutical development team at
Biothera,? said Conners. We are confident that their leadership will
result in continued success of Imprime PGG.?
About Biothera, the Immune Health Company
Biothera is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune
health. The company is developing pharmaceuticals that target, direct
and activate the innate immune system to fight cancer. (www.biothera.com)
Biothera, the Immune Health Company
David Walsh, 651-256-4606
(direct)
VP Communications
dwalsh@biothera.com
Source: Biothera, the Immune Health Company
|
