SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.., a clinical-stage, industry-leading platform company developing Mas-related G Protein-Coupled Receptor (MRGPR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications, today announced that Eric Deng, Ph.D., M.B.A., has joined the company as Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) Operations.

“Eric’s expertise will be instrumental in ensuring resources are aligned and performance standards are met as we continue to advance our first-in-class MRGPR programs through clinical development. We’re excited to have him on the team,” said Marcus Boehm, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Escient. “His proven track record of building global product supply networks to successfully advance novel therapies from discovery to clinical development and commercialization will be invaluable to Escient as we advance our novel pipeline of MRGPR-targeted therapeutics in multiple indications.”

“Escient has a world-class team and a pipeline with expansive potential, giving us the unique opportunity to deliver first-in-class medicines addressing unserved medical needs across a variety of therapeutic areas,” said Dr. Deng. “I’m excited to join them on their mission and help drive forward the drug discovery, preclinical development, clinical development, and eventually commercialization of our lead programs.”

Dr. Deng has over 20 years of manufacturing and supply chain operations leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry at both emerging and multinational companies. Prior to joining Escient, Dr. Deng spent the past seven years at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical leading supply chain, manufacturing, and cross-functional CMC teams, most recently as the Senior Director of Manufacturing Management and CMC Lead. Previously, he was a Business Unit Manager responsible for overall manufacturing and supply chain operations of a Bayer HealthCare business franchise. He also held operations leadership positions with Metrika, Johnson & Johnson, and Honeywell. Dr. Deng earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from The Ohio State University and was a Department of Energy Postdoctoral Fellow. Dr. Deng received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Nankai University and an M.B.A. in Operations Management from University of Houston. He gained his Process Excellence Black Belt certification from Johnson & Johnson.

About Escient Pharmaceuticals

Escient Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage, industry-leading platform biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing first-in-class Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor (MRGPR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications. Based in San Diego, Calif., Escient is led by an experienced team of biotechnology entrepreneurs with specific expertise in GPCR drug discovery and development and funded by top-tier life science investors, including The Column Group, 5AM Ventures, Sanofi Ventures, Cowen Healthcare Investors, Redmile Group, Perceptive Advisors, Osage University Partners and Altitude Life Science Ventures.

Visit www.escientpharma.com to learn more.

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