BLOOMFIELD, N.J., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alfacell Corporation , a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel ribonuclease (RNase) therapeutics for cancer, today announced that Tommy G. Thompson, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and four-term Governor of Wisconsin, has joined the Company as a Special Advisor.
Secretary Thompson will chair the newly-created Alfacell Business Policy Committee, which will include members of the Company’s senior management team and Board of Directors. The committee will focus on advancing and executing strategies associated with key initiatives in areas such as finance, government relations, and regulatory affairs, as well as corporate governance and development.
“I am extremely pleased to serve in this new role with Alfacell, a rising company with an unwavering commitment to developing potential breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer,” stated Thompson. “I first became familiar with Alfacell as Governor of Wisconsin, where the Company manufactures its products. I came to learn that Alfacell is a pioneer and global leader in ribonuclease-based drug therapies, with ONCONASE being the most advanced anti-cancer agent in development from its novel technology platform. I look forward to working closely with Kuslima Shogen and the strong management team at Alfacell, and to the prospect of successful outcomes from the Company’s ongoing clinical programs.”
“It is tremendously exciting to welcome Secretary Thompson, a preeminent global authority on myriad healthcare issues, to our experienced leadership team,” stated Kuslima Shogen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alfacell. “It is apparent that he shares our enthusiasm for the Company’s vision, business plan, technology platform and positioning for near- and long-term growth.”
Shogen added, “We are confident that Secretary Thompson’s diverse experience, knowledge and passion for the advancement of innovative solutions for global healthcare challenges will lead to invaluable guidance to Alfacell as we move closer to filing a NDA for ONCONASE(R) (ranpirnase), our lead investigational drug candidate, build and expand relationships with industry partners, and further develop our product portfolio.”
About Tommy G. Thompson
Tommy G. Thompson, the former Health and Human Services Secretary and four-term Governor of Wisconsin, is Chairman of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions and a partner at the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
At Deloitte and Akin Gump, Secretary Thompson is building on his efforts as HHS Secretary and Governor to develop innovative solutions to the health care challenges facing American families, businesses, communities, states and the nation as a whole. These efforts focus on improving the use of information technology in hospitals, clinics and doctors offices; promoting healthier lifestyles; strengthening and modernizing Medicare and Medicaid; and expanding the use of medical diplomacy around the world.
Secretary Thompson has dedicated his professional life to public service, and is one of the nation’s leading advocates for the health and welfare of all Americans. He served as HHS Secretary from 2001 to 2005, and as Governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001, making state history when he was re-elected for a third term in 1994 and a fourth term in 1998. The Secretary began his career in public service in 1966 as a representative in Wisconsin’s state Assembly. He was elected assistant Assembly minority leader in 1973 and Assembly minority leader in 1981.
Secretary Thompson has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Anti-Defamation League’s Distinguished Public Service Award. In 1997, the Secretary received Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year Award, and the Horatio Alger Award in 1998. He has also served as chairman of the National Governors’ Association, the Education Commission of the States and the Midwestern Governors’ Conference. Secretary Thompson also served in the Wisconsin National Guard and the Army Reserve.
About Alfacell Corporation
Alfacell Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for cancer, using its proprietary ribonuclease (RNase) technology platform. ONCONASE(R) (ranpirnase), Alfacell’s lead investigational drug candidate, has been successfully administered to over 850 patients with a variety of solid tumors, and is currently being evaluated in a Phase IIIb trial for malignant mesothelioma (MM) and a Phase I / II trial in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). For more information, please visit www.alfacell.com.
This press release includes statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements, usually containing the words “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, uncertainties involved in transitioning from concept to product, uncertainties involving the ability of the Company to finance research and development activities, potential challenges to or violations of patents, uncertainties regarding the outcome of clinical trials, the Company’s ability to secure necessary approvals from regulatory agencies, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks discussed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.
Contact: Alfacell Corporation: Investor/Media Relations: Kuslima Shogen Elite Financial Communications Robert Love Dodi Handy (973) 748-8082 (407) 585-1080 info@alfacell.comacel@efcg.net
Alfacell Corporation
CONTACT: Kuslima Shogen or Robert Love, both of Alfacell Corporation,+1-973-748-8082, info@alfacell.com; or Investor/Media Relations, Dodi Handyof Elite Financial Communications, +1-407-585-1080, acel@efcg.net, forAlfacell Corporation
Web site: http://www.alfacell.com/
