TILS.L Regulatory News (TILS)

Tiziana Life Sciences PLC

("Tiziana" or the "Company")

Tiziana Life Sciences Expands its Clinical Team with Key Appointment of Dr. Robert Evans as Vice President of Clinical Sciences

London, 04 May 2016 - Tiziana Life Sciences plc (AIM: TILS, the "Company"), the clinical stage biotechnology company focused on targeted drugs to treat diseases in oncology and immunology, today announces that it has further expanded its clinical development team with the key appointment of Robert Evans, PharmD. as Vice President of Clinical Sciences. Dr. Evans will report to James Tripp, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Clinical.

Dr. Evans joined Tiziana Life Sciences in April 2016 as Vice President of Clinical Sciences. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Evans served as Vice President of Clinical Development at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and was responsible for providing project and clinical leadership across multiple programs focused on the treatment of oncology, respiratory and dermatology disorders. Prior to Glenmark, Dr. Evans served in scientific leadership roles in the Immunology and Inflammation Group at Regeneron Pharmaceutical.

James Tripp, COO of Tiziana Life Sciences commented: "I am delighted to announce this appointment. Bob and I worked together while at Regeneron, where he was instrumental in the clinical development of several key monoclonal antibodies. Bob's extensive background in the clinical development industry, from Johnson & Johnson, Amgen, Regeneron, and Glenmark combined with his strong background in immunology and oncology adds tremendous support to our exciting portfolio as we move forward with our lead compound, milciclib into hepatic cellualar carcinoma (HCC) and onto filing our two INDs in foralumab and Bcl-3 inhibitor early next year." 

Dr. Evans received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Illinois, and a PharmD from the University of Kansas City, Kansas City Missouri. He completed Fellowships at St Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Evans is the author or co-author of numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, abstracts and scientific publications. 

James Tripp, COO also commented: "Tiziana Life Sciences is fully committed to developing and growing our pipeline to treat rare cancers, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In order to achieve this the board of directors fully recognizes the need to attract top talent. Dr. Evans is one such example. As we continue to grow we will ensure that the best and brightest join our company. ‎I am very confident that together with our impressive pipeline and strong team we will continue to drive the Company forward to significant future success." 

About Tiziana Life Sciences

Tiziana Life Sciences plc is a UK biotechnology company that focuses on the discovery and development of novel molecules that treat human disease in oncology and immunology.

The Company is focused on its lead compound, milciclib, a molecule which blocks the action of specific enzymes called cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) involved in cell division as well as a number of other protein kinases. Milciclib is currently completing phase II clinical trials for thymic carcinoma in patients previously treated with chemotherapy and preparing and IND to enroll patients in an exploratory trial in Hepatic Cellular Carcinoma (HCC).

The Company is also in clinical development of foralumab. Foralumab is the only fully human engineered anti-human CD3 antibody in clinical development. This phase II compound has potential application in a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, type-1 diabetes (T1D), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, where modulation of a T-cell response is desirable.

Tiziana Life Sciences' clinical development teams are working on its Bcl-3 candidate; which has a prominent role in the metastasis of mammary cancers, and has elucidated the mechanism of Bcl-3 action to be a regulator of cancer cell motility and has also determined that Bcl-3 inhibition suppresses cell motility in triple-negative, HER-2-positive PR- and ER-positive breast cancer sub-types, suggesting that Bcl-3 may be a master regulator of this metastatic property not only in aggressive breast cancers, but across the clinical spectrum of breast disease. The Company is preparing the IND package with the intention of progressing to clinical trials this year.

For more information go to http://www.tizianalifesciences.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "planned," "believe," "forecast," "estimated," "expected," and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tiziana's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical trials discussed in this press release will be completed or successful or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and Tiziana does not undertake any obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances

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Source: Tiziana Life Sciences, Plc.