News
Allon appoints Chief Medical Officer for expanding clinical program
VANCOUVER, May 21, 2008 — Allon Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: NPC) announced today the appointment of J. Steven Whitaker, M.D., J.D. as Vice President, Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer of the Company.
Gordon McCauley, President and CEO of Allon, said Whitaker will manage the clinical development and medical affairs related to Allon’s expanding program of clinical trials, including interactions with prospective pharmaceutical company partners, regulatory authorities, trial investigators, physicians and patients.
“Steve has enjoyed significant success as a leader in clinical development and regulatory strategy related to products at all stages — from early-stage preclinical development through to international regulatory approval and commercialization,” said McCauley.
“In addition, Steve’s experience managing a joint venture between a biotech company and a major pharmaceutical company will be invaluable to Allon as we work toward completing a development and commercialization partnership with a major pharmaceutical company in 2008.”
Whitaker was Division Vice-President, Clinical Research at ICOS Corporation in Seattle until it was acquired by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) in 2007. Previously, he held a number of roles of increasing responsibility in clinical research and medical affairs after joining ICOS in 1994. Whitaker’s achievements include filing with the United States Food and Drug Administration an Investigational New Drug application for approval to start clinical trials and a New Drug Application for marketing approval for the same product.
Whitaker received an M.D. (with highest distinction) from the Indiana University School of Medicine, a J.D. (with highest distinction) from the University Of Washington School Of Law, and a Bachelor of Science in physics and mathematics from Butler University.
Whitaker said being Chief Medical Officer of Allon gives him the opportunity to contribute to a clinical organization dedicated to disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
“Allon is a particularly exciting company because it has a promising compound that has demonstrated human efficacy in its Alzheimer’s program, a strong team dedicated to helping people, and a can-do culture focused on building a multi-product sustainable company,” said Whitaker.
McCauley said Whitaker will work closely with Karole Sutherland, Vice President, Clinical Operations, and Bruce Morimoto, Ph.D., Vice President, Drug Development, who have been instrumental in Allon’s successful clinical trial programs to date. In addition, Anthony Fox, M.D., Ph.D., Allon’s Clinical Advisor, will continue to be actively engaged in the development program. Among other things, Fox is an internationally recognized consultant and author on central nervous system drugs.
About Allon’s neuroprotective platforms
Allon’s two neuroprotective technology platforms are based on two naturally occurring proteins secreted by the brain in response to a range of insults. The platforms are activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) and activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF). Because the two platforms are based on different proteins, the drugs from each are different molecules with different therapeutic mechanisms and distinct commercial opportunities. Clinical-stage drugs AL-108 and AL-208 are derived from ADNP, while preclinical stage drug AL-309 is derived from ADNF.
About Allon
Allon Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for major neurodegenerative conditions. In Q1 2008, Allon’s drug AL-108 demonstrated human efficacy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. Allon has Phase II human efficacy programs pursuing three large underserved markets: Alzheimer's disease, stroke and schizophrenia-related cognitive impairment. The Company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "NPC" (Neuro Protection CompanyTM) and based in Vancouver. For additional information please visit the Company's website: www.allontherapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained herein, other than those which are strictly statements of historical fact may include forward-looking information. Such statements will typically contain words such as "believes", "may", "plans", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipates", "intends", "expects", and similar expressions. While forward-looking statements represent management’s outlook based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable, forward-looking statements by their nature are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by them. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainty involved in scientific research and drug development, Allon's early stage of development, lack of product revenues, its additional capital requirements, the risks associated with successful completion of clinical trials and the long lead-times and high costs associated with obtaining regulatory approval to market any product which Allon may eventually develop. Other risk factors include the limited protections afforded by intellectual property rights, rapid technology and product obsolescence in a highly competitive environment and Allon’s dependence on collaborative partners and contract research organizations. These factors can be reviewed in Allon’s public filings at www. SEDAR.com and should be considered carefully. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and Allon disclaims any obligation to update or announce changes in any such factors except in its periodic filings.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Allon Therapeutics Inc. - Investor and Media Contact
Aaron Keay
Director, Investor Relations
(604) 742-2540 or Cell: (604) 323-6911
Email: akeay@allontherapeutics.com
Website: www.allontherapeutics.com
