Michael Houghton, Co-Discoverer Of Hepatitis C And Lasker Award Winner, To Become Epiphany Biosciences, Inc.'s Chief Scientific Officer

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Epiphany Biosciences Inc. announced today the appointment of virologist Michael Houghton, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Houghton joins Epiphany following a distinguished 24-year career at Chiron where he was most recently Vice President of HCV and Virology Research. In 1989, Dr. Houghton and his Chiron colleagues were the first to identify the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in collaboration with the CDC. Their discovery led to a series of HCV tests that are now used globally to screen the blood supply to prevent infection. Their work also led to the identification of important new anti-HCV drug targets. For this work, Dr. Houghton received the Albert Lasker Prize in 2000 as well as numerous other awards from various countries and organizations throughout the world. More recently, Dr. Houghton has focused on vaccine approaches to hepatitis C, including strategies for immunotherapy of this viral disease.

In addition to HCV, Dr. Houghton's group was the first to characterize the hepatitis D virus (delta virus). He has published over 200 articles in the fields of gene regulation, human beta interferon and hepatitis C and D viruses. He also holds numerous patents issued in the fields of recombinant human interferons, bacterial expression vectors, and hepatitis C and D viruses. Dr. Houghton obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from Kings College, University of London, and worked in the Searle Research Laboratories in the United Kingdom prior to joining Chiron which was recently acquired by Novartis.

"I am very excited about joining the Epiphany team and to lead the company's scientific efforts, including the development of a reliable diagnostic blood test for Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpes Virus (KSHV/ HHV-8). Epiphany has a broad and strong portfolio of anti-infective therapeutic and diagnostic products, and I'm looking forward to helping the company bring life-improving therapies and preventative measures to patients suffering from acute and chronic disease," said Houghton.

"We are delighted that Dr. Houghton is joining Epiphany as CSO," said Epiphany CEO Fred Volinsky, MD. "Mike's leadership skills, broad knowledge of virology, and commercialization expertise will be key to Epiphany's future success."

"With the addition of Dr. Houghton to a team that includes Drs. Robert Gallo, Roger Kornberg, Hans Wigzell, Yuan Chang, Patrick Moore, and other eminent scientists and clinicians, we believe Epiphany has assembled one of the finest virology teams in life science today," noted Volinsky.

About Epiphany Biosciences

Epiphany Biosciences is focused on advancing new therapies for infectious disease. The founders include Fred Volinsky MD, Robert Gallo MD, and David Myles Ph.D. Epiphany is located in San Francisco, California.

Additional information on Epiphany Biosciences may be obtained at the company website http://www.epiphanybio.com or by contacting company representatives: Fred G. Volinsky MD, CEO 415.765.7193; David C. Myles Ph.D., COO 415.765.7198.

CONTACT: Fred G. Volinsky MD, CEO, +1-415-765-7193, or David C. MylesPh.D., COO, +1-415-765-7198, both of Epiphany Biosciences

Web site: http://www.epiphanybio.com/