Catalyst Biosciences Announces Appointment of Edward Williams to Its Board of Directors

 

Former Novo Nordisk Executive Strengthens Catalyst’s Hemophilia Expertise

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catalyst Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel medicines to address hematology indications, today announced the appointment of Edward Williams to the board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

“The appointment of Mr. Williams to our board provides substantial hematology industry experience to our company,” said Nassim Usman, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Catalyst. “Mr. Williams has a deep understanding of the hemophilia space and a proven track record of driving company growth and bringing therapeutic candidates to commercial stage in highly competitive markets across a multitude of therapeutic areas. Our recent board additions of Edward Williams and Andrea Hunt, who joined our board in October 2017 and was previously responsible for Shire’s hemophilia programs, are timely as we advance our hemophilia programs through later-stage clinical studies.”

Mr. Williams was most recently senior vice president of biopharmaceuticals at Novo Nordisk Inc., where he was responsible for the general management of all aspects of the biotechnology business for the U.S. in three therapeutic areas, including hemophilia. Prior to Novo Nordisk, Mr. Williams was vice president of sales in the Respiratory and Dermatology Business Unit at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., where he ran all sales aspects of the respiratory and dermatology businesses. Before joining Novartis, Mr. Williams held numerous sales and marketing positions of increasing responsibility for more than 20 years at Pharmacia & Upjohn Company (acquired by Pfizer in 2002). Mr. Williams served on the board of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the National Sales Network, Basic Supply Company, Inc., has been recognized as Industry Leader of the Year by the National Hemophilia Foundation, and chaired fundraising for the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton/Mercer County. Mr. Williams earned his B.S. in biology and chemistry from Marshall University.

Dr. Barry Selick, who has been a Catalyst board member since 2003 and chairman since 2006, will step down from the board effective Feb. 15, 2018. Dr. Selick was recently named vice chancellor of business development, innovation and partnerships at the University of California, San Francisco. Current board member Augustine Lawlor will replace Dr. Selick as chairman. 

“We thank Dr. Selick for his many contributions to Catalyst as both a member and chair of our board of directors, and we welcome Mr. Lawlor as our new chair,” said Dr. Usman.

About Catalyst

Catalyst is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel medicines to address hematology indications. Catalyst is focused on the field of hemostasis, including the subcutaneous prophylaxis of hemophilia and facilitating surgery in individuals with hemophilia. For more information, please visit www.catalystbiosciences.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statement of historical facts, included in this press release regarding our strategy and plans to develop novel medicines to address hematology indications. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans and expectations and projections disclosed in these forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that Catalyst makes, including, but not limited to, the risk that our clinical trials and enrollment may be delayed and may not have satisfactory outcomes, that human trials will not replicate the results from preclinical studies, that potential adverse effects may arise from the testing or use of Catalyst’s products, including the generation of antibodies, the risk that costs required to develop or manufacture Catalyst’s products will be higher than anticipated, competition, and other factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 2, 2017. Catalyst does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

                                                 
Contacts:

Corporate
Fletcher Payne
CFO, Catalyst Biosciences
+1.650.871.0761
investors@catbio.com

Investors
Andrew McDonald, Ph.D.
LifeSci Advisors
+1.646.597.6987
Andrew@lifesci.com

Media
Josephine Belluardo, Ph.D.
LifeSci Public Relations
+1.646.751.4361
jo@lifescipublicrelations.com