Oslo, Norway, June 24, 2010
Clavis Pharma ASA (OSE: CLAVIS) announces the appointment of Athos Gianella-Borradori MD as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr Gianella-Borradori is an experienced onco-hematologist and drug developer, with 30 years experience in the field. He spent the past 20 years in industry, focused on translational research and on the clinical development of novel anti-cancer agents. During this career, he has held managerial and senior clinical research and development roles at Novartis (Switzerland), Crucell (The Netherlands), Bavarian Nordic (Germany), Cyclacel (United Kingdom) and, for the last five years, at Serono, later at Merck Serono (Switzerland).
Before joining the industry, Dr Gianella-Borradori received his medical degree from the University of Bern (Switzerland). He is board certified in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and practised for several years at European and US universities.
Dr Gianella-Borradori's primary role at Clavis will be to drive the clinical development of, elacytarabine, which is in a Phase III trial for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and of CP-4126 in partnership with Clovis Oncology, which is in Phase II for patients with pancreatic cancer. He will also contribute to shape the strategy of Clavis and will play a major role in the future developments of Clavis' novel cancer drug candidates.
Olav Hellebø, CEO, said: "We are very pleased that Athos will be joining the Clavis team as CMO. We believe his extensive international experience in cancer drug development and clinical experience in oncology and haematology will prove extremely valuable as we progress our existing clinical programmes and expand our exciting pipeline of novel LVT-derived cancer candidates. We believe the improved clinical characteristics of these new drug candidates offer the potential to make a significant difference to the treatment of patients with a range a cancer types."
For further information contact:
Olav Hellebø
Chief Executive Officer
+47 24 11 09 50
olav.hellebo@clavispharma.com
Gunnar Manum
Chief Financial Officer
+47 24 11 09 71
+47 95 17 91 90 (mob)
gunnar.manum@clavispharma.com
Mark Swallow / Nina Enegren / David Dible
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
+44 207 282 2948
clavispharma@citigatedr.co.uk
About Clavis Pharma
Clavis Pharma ASA is a clinical stage oncology drug development company based in Oslo, Norway with a portfolio of novel anti-cancer
drugs in development. These patented New Chemical Entities (NCEs) are novel, improved versions of commercially successful
drugs, made using Clavis Pharma's Lipid Vector Technology (LVT) chemistry. Data generated suggests these potential breakthrough
products may offer improved efficacy and reduced side effects through enhanced pharmacokinetic properties, greater tissue
penetration, altered metabolism and, in certain cases, additional modes of action.
Clavis Pharma's has several drug candidates in formal development studies:
- Elacytarabine, an improved form of Ara-C, a leukaemia drug - about to commence a Phase III randomized, controlled registration study in late-stage acute myeloid leukaemia;
- Intravenous CP-4126, an improved version of gemcitabine - currently in a Phase II comparative study with gemcitabine for the treatment of pancreatic cancer;
- CP-4200, an azacitidine derivative - in preclinical development for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), often a precursor to leukaemia.
Clavis Pharma intends to commercialise its products through strategic alliances and partnerships with experienced oncology businesses and, where and when commercially appropriate, by establishing its own sales and marketing capabilities. CP-4126 is licensed to Clovis Oncology in the Americas and Europe. Clavis Pharma has retained rights in other territories and an option to co-promote CP-4126 in Europe.
The shares of Clavis Pharma ASA are listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: CLAVIS).
Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forecasts based on uncertainty, since they relate to events and
depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and which, by their nature, will have an impact on results of operations
and the financial condition of Clavis Pharma. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments
to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Theses factors include, among other
things, risks associated with technological development, the risk that research & development will not yield new products
that achieve commercial success, the impact of competition, the ability to close viable and profitable business deals, the
risk of non-approval of patents not yet granted and difficulties of obtaining relevant governmental approvals for new products.
No expressed or implied representations or warranties are given concerning Clavis Pharma or the accuracy or completeness of the information provided herein, and no claims shall be made by the recipient hereof by virtue of this News Announcement or the information contained herein.
Clavis Pharma(TM) is a registered trademark of Clavis Pharma ASA.
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl (Norwegian Securities Trading Act)