ArTara Therapeutics Announces Additions to Leadership Team and Board of Directors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ArTara Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company developing treatments for rare diseases with significant unmet needs, today announces the addition of Julio Casoy, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer. Further strengthening its clinical leadership team, ArTara also announces the appointment of Roger Garceau, M.D. to the ArTara Board of Directors.

“We are delighted to bring these accomplished industry leaders to ArTara as we begin full execution of our pivotal study program for Choline Chloride for Injection in Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease (IFALD).” said Jesse Shefferman, Chief Executive Officer of ArTara Therapeutics. “Their collective experience will be instrumental in our efforts to bring much-needed therapies to the patients we hope to serve.”

Dr. Julio Casoy’s clinical career spans 35 years in multiple roles across clinical development and medical affairs. Most recently he was Chief Medical Officer of InClinica, a private CRO. Prior to this, Dr. Casoy held several senior clinical leadership positions in both large and small biopharmaceutical companies such as Shire, Wyeth, Alkermes, and Sepracor. His experience spans multiple therapeutic areas including rare diseases. Through the course of his career Dr. Casoy has played an instrumental role in the clinical and commercial success of several high-profile treatment options. Dr. Casoy completed his medical training at the Federal University of Sao Paulo, and also holds a Master’s Degree in Health and Hospital Management from the Business Management School at the University of Sao Paulo Clinics Hospital.

“I am delighted to join ArTara at such an exciting time for the organization,” said Dr. Casoy. “I look forward to bringing my clinical experience and expertise to help the Company advance novel treatments for patients living with rare diseases, starting with the promising potential treatment of IV Choline Chloride substrate replacement for IFALD.”

Dr. Roger Garceau has more than 30 years of broad pharmaceutical industry experience and joins the ArTara Board following his time as Chief Medical Officer of NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc. At NPS, Dr. Garceau led a number of rare disease programs, including the design and execution of the development plan and approval strategy for Gattex® – the most widely prescribed treatment for Short Bowel Syndrome in the world. Dr. Garceau previously served in several leadership positions with Sanofi-Aventis and Pharmacia Corporation. He is a board-certified pediatrician and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Garceau completed his medical training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

“I am thrilled to be a part of ArTara’s Board of Directors and to collaborate with the talented leadership team,” said Dr. Garceau. “I am impressed with the bench of experienced executives lined up on ArTara’s management team and Board of Directors, their commitment to transformative science and their singular focus on patient wellbeing. I look forward to helping advance ArTara’s innovative programs together with the team.”

Both Dr. Casoy’s and Dr. Garceau’s appointments are effective immediately.

About Choline Chloride for Injection, for Intravenous Use

Choline Chloride for Injection is a replacement therapy for patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) who are choline deficient. Choline Chloride for Injection has been granted Orphan Drug Designations by the FDA for both the treatment and prevention of Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease (IFALD). Choline Chloride for Injection has shown promising results in both reversing steatosis and improving cholestasis in patients dependent on PN and who are also choline deficient. Steatosis and cholestasis are the hallmark pathologies of IFALD. It is estimated that over 80% of patients dependent on PN are unable to adequately synthesize choline, a key precursor to phospholipids critical in the export of triglycerides from the liver, as well as maintenance of healthy bile composition in the biliary system. A significant body of literature suggests that choline deficiency plays a critical role in the frequent development of IFALD in patients dependent on PN.

About ArTara Therapeutics

ArTara is a rare diseases therapeutics company focused on optimizing therapeutics for patients suffering from rare diseases where there is a significant unmet need. ArTara’s initial focus is on rare hepatology, metabolic and connective and structural tissue disorders. Following constructive EOP2 dialogue with the FDA in Q4’2018, ArTara Therapeutics now intends to launch a pivotal, phase-3 study of Intravenous (IV) Choline Chloride substrate replacement for Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease (IFALD) in 2019.

 

Contacts

Ilolochika Emuh
Inquiries@artaratx.com

Or visit us at www.artaratx.com

 

 
 

Source: ArTara Therapeutics

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