BERLIN, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Atugen AG announced today that Professor Cy Stein, a recognized innovator in the development of drugs based on antisense and RNA interference, has joined Atugen's Scientific Advisory Board. Prof Stein is Head of Medical Genitourinary Oncology and Professor of Medicine, Urology and Molecular Pharmacology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. He co-developed Genasense, Genta's antisense treatment for BCL-2-dependent breast cancer, potentially only the second ever antisense drug.
Atugen is currently pursuing a program to develop siRNA therapeutics to treat advanced cancer and plans to begin clinical development later this year. The Company has proprietary siRNA molecules and uses a novel, patented delivery mechanism.
Prof Stein is a medical doctor and has a PhD in chemistry. An oncologist, he trained at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health. He was subsequently professor at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University for 13 years. He is co-editor of the journal Oligonucleotides and has published over 150 papers in his field.
Said Prof Stein, "Atugen's work in the field of siRNA therapeutics is gaining momentum and this is a great time for the Company. I trust I can make a serious contribution to helping Atugen get its first RNA interference molecule onto the market."
Welcoming Prof Stein to the Atugen SAB, CEO Dr Peter Buckel, said, "We are very fortunate to have Cy Stein, a leading pioneer in our particular field, join Atugen's Scientific Advisory Board. Prof Stein's scientific and commercial knowledge will have a profound impact on the future direction of our siRNA therapeutics development program."
Notes to Editors:
Atugen, http://www.atugen.com/, the RNAi Therapeutics Company, has core competence in functional gene silencing. The Company has developed stabilized, proprietary siRNA molecules (atuRNAi(TM)) for use in animals and humans. Several proof-of-concept studies in animals have shown that atuRNAi(TM) can be used either alone or in combination with custom-tailored delivery vehicles to successfully treat cancer and other diseases. The strategic focus of the company is now to take its RNAi technology into the clinic in advanced cancer indications. In other fields such as ophthalmology, Atugen is establishing development partnerships.
Atugen AG
CONTACT: Katja Stout, Ashley Lilly, or Fiona Brown, NorthbankCommunications for Atugen AG, +44-(0)-20-7886-8155,a.lilly@northbankcommunications.com; or Dr Andre Lochter, Director BusinessDevelopment, Atugen AG, +49-30-9489-2804, lochter@atugen.com