BOSTON, July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GliaCure, Inc., a company focused on developing novel, non-neuronal therapies for a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, announced today that it has appointed Joseph S. Zakrzewski to the Company’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Zakrzewksi brings more than 20 years of experience to his new role as a director of GliaCure. He has held various executive positions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry and has served on the Board of Directors of publicly held companies Acceleron Pharmaceuticals, Amarin Pharmaceuticals, Insulet Corporation, and Liposcience. He also currently serves on the board of a number of privately held companies, and is advisor to a number of entities. He was most recently Chairman and CEO of Amarin Pharmaceuticals.
“We are exceptionally fortunate to have Joe Zakrzewksi join our team,” said Phil Haydon, Ph.D., President and co-Founder of GliaCure. “His wealth of experience in developing life sciences companies will clearly bring a new depth and dynamism to GliaCure and help us reach a new level.”
“Major pharma companies increasingly talk about embracing ‘disruptive thinking,’” Mr. Zakrzewski said. “With its novel focus on non-neuronal pathways, its ability to make quick decisions, and its virtual approach, GliaCure epitomizes this disruptive thinking. I welcome the opportunity to become part of such an exciting company.”
Prior to his time as an executive and board member at Amarin Pharmaceuticals Mr. Zakrzewski served as a Venture Partner with Orbimed, the world’s largest healthcare-dedicated investment firm. He has also served as Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Xcellerex, as the Chief Operating Officer of Reliant Pharmaceuticals, and held a variety of executive level positions at Eli Lilly & Company including the position of Vice President, Corporate Business Development. Mr. Zakrzewski received an MS in Biochemical Engineering from Drexel University and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University.
About GliaCure, Inc.
GliaCure is a privately held company that is pioneering the development of novel therapeutics aimed at treating neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders of the brain. The company’s approaches are based on glial targets, a cell type in the brain that has previously been overlooked in drug discovery. GliaCure’s lead product candidate, GC021109, is a small molecule that has two primary actions downstream of target engagement: the stimulation of phagocytosis and anti-inflammatory actions in which levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are reduced. GC021109 is currently being developed primarily as a disease modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and will enter a clinical trial for the disorder in Q3 2014; however, the dual phagocytic and anti-inflammatory actions of GC021109 have the potential to affect other disorders, including psoriasis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma. GliaCure has an exclusive license to the GC021109 compound and related technology from Tufts University. GliaCure also has a pipeline program for the development of therapeutics for astrocytic targets related to sleep disorders and depression. The company is based in Boston and is headed by Professor Philip G. Haydon, who also holds the position of Chair of Neuroscience at Tufts University.
Media Contact:
Yolande Haydon
Business Manager
GliaCure, Inc.
610 246 6012
yolande.haydon@gliacure.com
SOURCE GliaCure, Inc.
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