Axial Biotherapeutics Announces Neurology Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board

June 12, 2018 |

3 min read

Axial Biotherapeutics today announced the appointment of renowned researchers and thought leaders with expertise in neurology, Parkinson’s disease and regulatory strategy to its scientific and clinical advisory board.

Axial Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology company building a unique class of microbial-inspired therapeutics for neurological diseases, today announced the appointment of renowned researchers and thought leaders with expertise in neurology, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and regulatory strategy to its scientific and clinical advisory board (SAB). The board will support Axial in its drug development efforts in PD and other neurological diseases and disorders as the Company moves into the clinic. In addition, Axial has hired new CMC and bio-analytics personnel ahead of entering the clinic.

“Having access to the broad knowledge-base and expertise this group holds in neurological diseases and disorders and regulatory strategy will be invaluable moving forward in our efforts to develop treatments for PD and other CNS diseases,” said David H. Donabedian, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of Axial Biotherapeutics. “Working at the front line of the gut-brain axis field, where we are often the first to tackle new targets, it is important to have the guidance of these experienced researchers and physicians. In addition, their belief in us and willingness to join our effort is strong validation of our science and leading position in the field.”

The new members of Axial’s SAB are listed below. Full biographies for each member can be found on the Axial Biotherapeutics website.

Patrik Brundin, MD, PhD, Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) Associate Director of Research, Professor and Director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Research
Lode Dewulf, MD, DPM, FFPM, Chief Patient Affairs Officer, Servier
Marie-Francoise Chesselet, MD, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Neurology and of Neurobiology Emerita, UCLA
Peter Hutt II, Senior Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP
Marty Jefson, PhD, CEO, Pinteon Therapeutics
Torsten Madsen, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Aptinyx
Steven M. Opal, MD, Professor, Alpert Medical School, Brown University
Kathleen M. Shannon, MD, FAAN, FANA, Chief of Neurology, Detling Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

“The relationship between the gut microbiome and neurological diseases is very compelling, and Axial’s research stands at the forefront of the field,” said Patrik Brundin, MD, PhD, VARI Associate Director of Research, Professor and Director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Research. “This innovative treatment approach for CNS diseases, targeting the microbiome and its metabolites, shows great promise. I look forward to working with this impressive advisory board and Company and to contribute to Axial’s success.”

“This new direction for studying and treating these diseases and disorders, using or targeting the body’s bacterial population, is both innovative and promising, allowing for a whole new branch of neurological therapeutics. I am very pleased to be able to support this new path Axial is leading,” said Torsten Madsen, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Aptinyx.

About Axial Biotherapeutics

Axial Biotherapeutics is a leading biopharmaceutical company harnessing the link between the human gut microbiome and the central nervous system to develop a new class of biotherapeutics to improve the quality of life for people with neurological diseases and disorders. www.axialbiotherapeutics.com

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