Zura Bio Announces Appointment of Chief Scientific Officer
April 14 2023 - 5:00AM
Business Wire
Zura Bio Limited (Nasdaq: “ZURA”) (“Zura Bio”), a multi-asset
clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel
medicines for immune and inflammatory disorders, today announced
the appointment of Michael D. Howell, Ph.D., to the role of Chief
Scientific Officer and Head of Translational Science. Dr. Howell
brings more than two decades of experience leading discovery,
translational research, and early clinical programs and will lead
the scientific strategy and translational science efforts at Zura
Bio.
“I am thrilled to have Michael Howell join our team as our Chief
Scientific Officer and Head of Translational Science,” said Someit
Sidhu, M.D., CEO of Zura Bio. “He brings over 20 years of
significant experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He is an
experienced industry leader with a proven track record of success,
and I am confident that his expertise and vision will be key to
advancing our science, partnerships, and clinical development
pipeline. He will be a great addition to the executive management
team of the Company.”
Dr. Howell initially joined Zura Bio in 2022 as a scientific
advisor during the company’s formation and acquisition of its first
two clinical programs. Dr. Howell is a founding member of Galileo
Biosystems Inc, a scientific advisor at Ornovi, Inc., and founder
of Mountaineer Biosciences, Inc. He formerly served as the Chief
Scientific Officer of DermTech, Inc. Previously, he held scientific
leadership positions at Incyte Corporation, MedImmune, LLC /Astra
Zeneca, the Immune Tolerance Network, and Boehringer Ingelheim
GmbH. Before transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry, Dr.
Howell served as a faculty member in the Division of Allergy and
Immunology at National Jewish Health. Throughout his career, Dr.
Howell has led clinical and basic scientific research efforts
dedicated to the discovery of novel therapies and the integration
of precision and personalized medicine approaches into clinical
development. His efforts are highlighted by the identification of
new therapeutic targets and the advancement of more than eight
novel clinical therapies. Additionally, his research has been
discussed at national and international meetings, published in more
than 60 peer-reviewed journals, and referenced in patents outlining
therapeutic interventions and biomarker strategies for personalized
medicine. Dr. Howell received his PhD in Immunology from the West
Virginia University School of Medicine with postdoctoral training
at National Jewish Health, and his BS in biology from Messiah
University.
“Zura Bio is focused on the development of therapies in
challenging immunological conditions by deeply interrogating the
therapeutic mechanism of action and pairing that with those
patients with greatest need. This represents a unique opportunity
for us to bring life-changing therapies to patients,” said Dr.
Howell, who will join the Zura Bio leadership team. “I am honored
to join this team and work closely with them so we can bring these
much-needed medicines to patients.”
About Zura Bio
Zura Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing
immunology assets into Phase 2 development programs, including
ZB-168 and torudokimab. ZB-168 is an anti IL7R α inhibitor that has
the potential to impact diseases driven by IL7 and TSLP biological
pathways. Zura Bio aims to develop a portfolio of therapeutic
indications for ZB-168 which build on existing Phase 1b data in
Type 1 Diabetes demonstrating a favorable safety profile and strong
biological rationale. Torudokimab is a fully human, high affinity
monoclonal antibody that neutralizes IL33 and is currently at the
Phase 2 clinical development stage.
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and other statements about future events that are based on current
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and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ
materially from the expected results. These statements are based on
various assumptions, whether or not identified in this
communication. These forward-looking statements are provided for
illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and
must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance,
a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability.
Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to
predict and will differ from assumptions. These forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, Zura Bio’s expectations
with respect to anticipated financial impacts of the March 20, 2023
closing of the business combination between Zura Bio and JATT
Acquisition Corp (the “Business Combination”). You should carefully
consider the risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk
Factors” sections of Zura Bio’s filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including, without limitation, the
risks and uncertainties described in the Registration Statement on
Form S-4, as amended (the “Registration Statement”). These filings
would identify and address other important risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual events and results to differ materially
from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Many of
these factors are outside Zura Bio’s control and are difficult to
predict. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ
from the forward-looking statements in this communication,
including but not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal
proceedings that may be instituted against Zura Bio following the
Business Combination; (2) volatility in the price of Zura Bio’s
securities; (3) the inability to realize the anticipated benefits
of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other
things, competition, the ability of Zura Bio to grow and manage
growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and
suppliers and retain key employees; (4) costs related to the
Business Combination, subsequent financing transactions and the
ongoing costs relating to operating as a public company; (5)
changes in the applicable laws or regulations; (6) the possibility
that Zura Bio may be adversely affected by other economic,
business, and/or competitive factors; (7) the risk of downturns and
a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive industry
in which Zura Bio operates; (8) the impact of the global COVID-19
pandemic; (9) the potential inability of Zura Bio to raise
additional capital needed to pursue its business objectives or to
achieve efficiencies regarding other costs; (10) the enforceability
of Zura Bio’s intellectual property, including its patents, and the
potential infringement on the intellectual property rights of
others, cyber security risks or potential breaches of data
security; and (11) other risks and uncertainties described in the
Registration Statement, as amended, and such other documents filed
by Zura Bio from time to time with the SEC. These risks and
uncertainties may be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has
caused significant economic uncertainty. Zura Bio cautions that the
foregoing list of factors is not exclusive or exhaustive and not to
place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including
projections, which speak only as of the date made. Zura Bio gives
no assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Zura Bio does
not undertake or accept any obligation to publicly provide
revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, or
should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by
securities and other applicable laws.
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