MONTREAL, March 28 /PRNewswire/ - Aegera Therapeutics Inc., a leading biotechnology company focused on apoptosis control, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael J. Berendt as the company's President and Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to joining Aegera, Michael was Managing Director of the Atlantic region for Research Corporation Technologies ("RCT"), a technology investment and management company which he joined after establishing a life sciences investment team focused on growth equity investments for AEA Investors Inc.
Michael was also senior vice president for research for the Pharmaceutical Division of Bayer Corporation where his responsibilities included the Bayer Research Center, a facility engaged in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. Prior to joining Bayer, he was a group director of drug research at Pfizer, Inc.
"We are excited to have Michael join and lead our senior management team at Aegera. His skill set combines practical venture capital experience with executive level pharmaceutical expertise and provides the ideal package needed to ensure Aegera's continued growth and success," commented Dr. Perry Molinoff, Vice Provost for Research at the University of Pennsylvania and Chairman of Aegera's Board of Directors. "Moreover, with two programs in clinical development, Aegera is now ready to focus on establishing strategic partnerships and collaborations. These relationships will help Aegera take their programs to the next level and add significant value to the company as a whole."
Michael received a doctoral degree in medical microbiology and immunology from Hahnemann University, and was awarded research fellowships from the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society. Michael has previously served on the board of Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Myriad Genetics, Intronn Inc., Northstar Neuroscience, Inc., Nobex Corporation, Nanostream Inc., Catalyst Biosciences Inc. and continues to serve on the Board of Waters Corporation .
About Aegera Therapeutics Inc.
Aegera Therapeutics Inc. ("Aegera") is a clinical stage biotechnology company uniquely focused on developing drugs to control apoptosis: inducing apoptosis to kill cancer cells and preventing apoptosis to save injured neuronal cells. AEG35156 is currently in human clinical trials as a mono- therapy and as combination therapy in solid tumors and leukemia. Aegera's second product, AEG33783, is a broad-based neuroprotective agent currently in Phase I clinical trials, with proven efficacy in reversing peripheral neuropathies in animal models arising from chemotherapy and induced diabetes.
For more information, please visit Aegera's website at www.aegera.com.
AEGERA THERAPEUTICS INC.CONTACT: Aegera Therapeutics Inc., Catherine So, Manager, BusinessDevelopment, (514) 288-4091, x225, catherine.so@aegera.com
