Oxford BioTherapeutics Appoints Michael Moore as Chairman
By Oxford Biotherapeutics obt, PRNETuesday, December 8, 2009
Appointment Follows Recent Recruitment of Senior Antibody Industry Leaders and Highlights OBT's Growth Into a Leading Oncology-Focused Therapeutic Antibody Company
OXFORD, England, December 9 - Oxford BioTherapeutics (OBT) has today announced the
appointment of Dr Michael Moore as non-executive Chairman. Dr Moore brings
considerable expertise and experience to OBT at an exciting phase in the
Company's development, as it capitalises on partnerships with GSK, Amgen,
Medarex and Biosite to build a broad pipeline of therapeutic antibodies in
oncology.
Dr Moore has several decades of senior management experience
in the biotechnology sector and joins the Board of OBT following five years
at UK biotechnology company, Piramed Limited, where he was CEO until its
acquisition by Roche in 2008. Prior to joining Piramed, Dr Moore was CSO and
Research Director of Xenova Group plc. During a distinguished career he has
also held senior academic positions at the Paterson Institute for Cancer
Research, Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK and the Brunel Institute of
Cancer Genetics and Pharmacogenomics where he is still Professor Associate.
Today's announcement follows OBT's recent recruitment of a
number of other senior industry leaders in the biologics field and heralds
another important milestone for the Company, as it matures into a global
leader in the rapidly developing oncology therapeutic antibody sector. The
company recently announced the appointment of Jim Cornett, Chief Operating
Officer, Mike Gresser, Chief Scientific Officer, and Jon Terrett, VP
Oncology, to lead its US R&D operations.
Dr Moore commented, "I am delighted to join Oxford
BioTherapeutics at this exciting time in the Company's development. I have
been highly impressed by OBT's scientific and commercial approach and am very
pleased to join the other distinguished members of the OBT Board and
management, as we work together to set the strategic framework for the
Company's continued growth and success."
Oxford BioTherapeutics' CEO, Dr Christian Rohlff, welcomed
Michael to the Company, commenting, "I am delighted that a biotechnology
industry veteran who has made such a distinguished contribution to the field
of targeted drug discovery has agreed to join the OBT board. I have no doubt
that Michael will bring great value to the Company by virtue of his
considerable experience and track record at successful and innovative
companies in the sector."
OBT's impressive target discovery and therapeutic antibody
capabilities led to a recent partnership with GSK which was announced in May
2009. The GSK partnership is focused on the discovery, development and
commercialisation of novel, therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of
primary, metastatic and recurring forms of cancer.
OBT's antibody programs involve novel therapeutic targets that
were discovered using the Company's proprietary OGAP(R) database. The
Company's recent rapid progress is based on its unique in-house capabilities
in the discovery of novel targets for oncology combined with the expertise of
its partners, Medarex and Amgen, in the development of antibody therapeutics
to create an exciting pipeline of innovative first-in-class therapeutics for
the treatment of cancer. Through these collaborations, OBT has access to the
two leading technologies for generating fully human monoclonal antibodies.
In addition, OBT collaborates with Biosite Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Inverness Medical Innovations, for the identification of
novel protein-based disease markers for several cancer indications and for
the development of companion diagnostic products aimed at improving the
diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options for patients with cancer.
Michael Moore
Dr Moore was most recently Chief Executive Officer and
Director of Piramed Ltd, a UK-based biotechnology company focused on the
discovery and development of small molecule drugs targeting specific isoforms
of the PI3 kinase super-family for cancer and immune-inflammatory disease.
Piramed concluded a major collaboration with Genentech in November 2005 and
the company was acquired by F Hoffmann-La Roche in an all-share transaction
in May 2008. He is also Associate Professor at the Brunel Institute of Cancer
Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, a post he has held since 1997. Prior to
joining Piramed, Dr Moore held several progressive positions at Xenova Group
plc (1988-2003), including Chief Scientific Officer and Research Director. He
held a tenured Cancer Research Campaign Special Appointment at the Paterson
Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital, Manchester from 1980-1988,
was Honorary Reader in Immunology and Oncology at the University of
Manchester Medical School from 1986-1988, and Editor-in-Chief of the British
Journal of Cancer from 1983-1988. Dr. Moore received his PhD (Faculty of Pure
Science) and DSc (Faculty of Medicine) from Nottingham University and has
more than 150 scientific publications. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of
Pathologists.
About Oxford BioTherapeutics
Oxford BioTherapeutics (OBT) is focused on the development of
targeted antibody medicines for oncology. OBT's strategy is to develop
innovative antibody-based cancer drugs, with integrated diagnostics, against
novel targets that it has discovered in its unique OGAP(R) proteomic
database. OBT is in an unrivalled position to convert its novel targets into
a successful therapeutic pipeline through its alliances with the world
leaders in antibody development (Medarex, Biosite and Amgen). OBT's current
antibody pipeline is expected to deliver innovative and cost-effective
medicines to fulfil major unmet patient needs in the field of cancer. OBT, a
privately held company, was formed in 2004 and is based near Oxford, UK.
For further information, please see
www.OxfordBioTherapeutics.com
For further information, please contact: Oxford BioTherapeutics Dr Christian Rohlff Chief Executive Officer Tel: +44(0)1235-861770 cr@oxbt.co.uk Citigate Dewe Rogerson David Dible, Amber Bielecka Tel: +44(0)207-638-9571 david.dible@citigatedr.co.uk
For further information, please contact: Oxford BioTherapeutics: Dr Christian Rohlff, Chief Executive Officer, Tel: +44(0)1235-861770, cr at oxbt.co.uk; Citigate Dewe Rogerson, David Dible, Amber Bielecka, Tel: +44(0)207-638-9571, david.dible at citigatedr.co.uk
Tags: England, Oxford, Oxford BioTherapeutics (OBT), United Kingdom