14 Apr 2016 07:00
PuriCore plc
("PuriCore" or the "the Company")
Appointment of Dr. Christian Peters as Chief Medical Officer
14 April 2016 - PuriCore plc (AIM: PURI), an emerging specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on leveraging its proprietary immunomodulatory technology, today announces the appointment of Dr. Christian Peters to the newly created managerial position of Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective 25 April 2016. This appointment reflects PuriCore's recently announced new strategic direction to develop investigational new drug ("IND") applications for its small molecule therapies in inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Peters joins PuriCore from Therakos, Inc. where he was CMO since 2013; he was among the team that negotiated its recent sale to Mallinckrodt for $1.3 billion. He has 15 years of successful clinical development and commercialisation experience in a number of senior leadership positions in the pharmaceutical industry, and more than 10 years of clinical and research experience in academic settings and with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Most recently, as CMO of Therakos, Dr. Peters oversaw corporate strategy and execution for Global Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacoeconomics and Medical/Scientific Affairs of the company's integrated systems for extracorporeal photophoresis, an immunomodulatory therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Previously, he held a number of senior positions at CSL Behring, where he was responsible for Medical Affairs, US Commercial Operations and Clinical R&D. Earlier in his career, Dr. Peters was responsible for Global Clinical R&D at Therakos, then owned by Johnson & Johnson, following roles at CSL Behring, and its predecessor Aventis Behring LLC, in Clinical R&D, Regulatory and Medical Affairs.
Dr. Peters has extensive experience with the FDA, European Medicines Agency (EMA), other European authorities and the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) ranging from pre-IND meetings through Phase I/II/III clinical trials and approval. Dr. Peters has been instrumental in obtaining FDA approval for seven products to date.
Dr. Peters completed a medical externship at Duke University Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, Allergy and Immunology and Internal Medicine, residencies and fellowships at the Fogarty International Center for Advancing Science for Global Health at the NIH, the Free University of Berlin, Division of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Microbiology. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. in cellular immunology from the Free University Berlin Medical School in Germany.
Alex Martin, Chief Executive Officer of PuriCore, said:
"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Peters to PuriCore. Christian's extensive clinical development expertise and significant research and commercialisation experience in immunology and immunomodulatory therapies adds a high calibre of talent and depth to our current leadership team. He will play a key role in helping us to advance our product candidates into clinical stage development."
Christian Peters, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of PuriCore, added:
"I am excited to join PuriCore at such a pivotal time in the Company's evolution. There is a significant need for new and novel immunomodulatory therapies across a range of diseases. PuriCore's proprietary technology offers a unique platform that could offer potential advantages over existing standards of care, particularly for infants and in paediatrics. I look forward to helping PuriCore bring these important new products to patients."
Enquiries:
PuriCore plc | +44 (0) 20 3727 1000 |
Alex Martin, Chief Executive Officer | |
Marella Thorell, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer | |
FTI Consulting | +44 (0) 20 3727 1000 |
Simon Conway / Mo Noonan / Victoria Foster Mitchell | |
N+1 Singer (Nominated Adviser and Broker) | +44 (0) 20 7496 3000 |
Aubrey Powell / Jen Boorer / Thomas Smale |
About PuriCore
PuriCore is an emerging specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel immunomodulatory therapies to protect and improve the lives of adults and children. The Company has initiated a drug development program, based on its proprietary hypochlorous acid technology at high concentrations. The Company believes their formulations have novel immunomodulatory activity with potential application for the treatment of diseases in a number of therapeutic areas such as Dermatology, Ophthalmology and rare diseases.
Forward looking statements
Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections about its industry; its beliefs; and assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective shareholders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Company only as of the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.