LOS ANGELES, April 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
GT Biopharma Inc. (OTCQB: GTBP and Euronext Paris "GTBP.PA")
today announced that Dr. Peter
Kiener will join GT Biopharma's Board of Directors,
effective immediately.
Dr. Peter Kiener has substantial
experience in both biologics and immunotherapy, and was most
recently the Chief Scientific Officer at Sucampo, which was
acquired by Mallinckrodt in
February 2018 for approximately
$1.2 billion. Prior to Sucampo, he
served as Chief Scientific Officer of Ambrx Inc., a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of
antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that was acquired by a consortium
led by Fosun Pharmaceutical Group in 2015. Prior to Ambrx, Dr.
Kiener was President and Co-founder of Zyngenia Inc., an
early-stage biopharmaceutical company. He also held leadership
roles at MedImmune LLC, the global biologics arm of AstraZeneca,
including Executive Vice President and Global Head of Biologics
Research and Development, Senior Vice President and Head of Global
Research, and Vice President of Research. He also worked on
biologics for Bristol-Myers Squibb prior to his work at MedImmune.
During Dr. Kiener's more than 20 years as pharmaceutical executive,
he has played a significant role in moving various programs through
all aspects of drug development, including discovery, regulatory
approval, and post marketing. He has also been substantially
involved in the execution of multiple deal types, including private
placements, IPO, M&A, strategic partnerships, and licensing
deals. He has published more than 120 papers in peer-reviewed
journals and is an inventor on more than 40 patents and patent
applications.
Dr. Kiener also currently serves as the chairman of board of
directors of Cue Biopharma and as a member of board of directors of
Tetragenetics. Previously, has served on the scientific advisory
boards of KAI Pharmaceuticals Inc., Genocea Biosciences Inc., NKT
Therapeutics Inc. and VLST Corporation and as a member of the Board
of Directors of Receptor BioLogix Inc., Synovex Corporation and
Virdante Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Peter received his B.A. (1st Class Honors), from
Lancaster University in
Lancaster, UK and his Ph.D. from
Oxford University, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology.
"We believe that Peter's extensive experience, across all
aspects of biologics drug development, will be an invaluable asset
to GT Biopharma. He has deep expertise with antibody
drug-conjugates and NK-based technologies which will be
particularly helpful as we enter clinical development with our
proprietary TriKE and TetraKE product candidates and continue the
clinical development of our bi-specific ADC," said Shawn Cross, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of GT Biopharma.
"I am delighted to join GT Biopharma at this exciting time in
the company's development. I believe the company's pipeline and
platforms have the potential to have a significant impact on modern
cancer therapy," said Dr. Kiener.
About GT Biopharma, Inc.
GT Biopharma, Inc. is an immuno-oncology biotechnology company
focused on innovative treatments based on the company's proprietary
Tri and Tetra-specific Natural Killer Cell Engagers (TriKEs™ and
TetraKEs) and bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platforms.
GT's lead oncology drug candidate, OXS-1550 (DT2219) is a novel
bispecific scFv recombinant fusion protein-drug conjugate composed
of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-CD19
and anti-CD22 antibodies and a modified form of diphtheria toxin as
its cytotoxic drug payload. OXS-1550 has demonstrated success in
early human clinical trials in patients with relapsed/refractory
B-cell lymphoma or leukemia. In addition, GT's TriKE platform will
address a number of cancer types. GT's nervous system platform is
focused on acquiring or discovering and patenting late-stage,
de-risked, and close-to-market improved treatments for nervous
system diseases (Neurology and Pain) and shepherding them through
the approval process to the NDA. GT Biopharma's neurology products
currently include PainBrake, as well as treatments for the symptoms
of myasthenia gravis, and motion sickness.
Except for historical information contained herein, the
statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently
unreliable and actual results may differ materially. Examples of
forward-looking statements in this news release include statements
regarding the effectiveness of the Company's products, the
potential outcome of clinical studies, the future success of
development activities and the future growth and operating and
financial performance of the Company. Factors which could cause
actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking
statements include such factors as the Company's ability to
accomplish its business initiatives, obtain regulatory approval and
protect its intellectual property; significant fluctuations in
marketing expenses and ability to achieve or grow revenue, or
recognize net income, from the sale of its products and services,
as well as the introduction of competing products, or management's
ability to attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for
the development and commercialization of its planned products, and
other information that may be detailed from time to time in the
Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact:
Westwicke Partners
John Woolford
+1(443)213-0506
john.woolford@westwicke.com
SOURCE GT Biopharma Inc.