BAKX Welcomes Dr. Marina Konopleva to Its Scientific Advisory Board

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Marina Konopleva, M.D., Ph.D. (Photo: Business Wire)

Dr. Konopleva is an expert in the study and clinical investigation of novel agents in acute myeloid and lymphocytic leukemias, focusing on BCL-2 targeting and agents targeting leukemic microenvironment and metabolism. She has facilitated clinical development of marketed therapeutics focused on the BCL-2 protein family, including Venclexta (venetoclax), which is broadly used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Sree Kant, founder and CEO of BAKX said, “As one of the world’s most widely known researchers in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and as a world leader in clinical research for AML and other leukemias, Dr. Konopleva adds deep expertise to the advancement of BAKX’s discovery programs targeting the BCL-2 protein family. Her depth of knowledge and expertise in translational medicine across multiple proteins in this pathway are unsurpassed. We’re excited by her enthusiasm for our platform and discovery programs, and we are honored to welcome her to BAKX’s Scientific Advisory Board.”

The company’s BAX activator program (oral small molecule activators of the BCL-2 associated protein-X) is partnered with Ipsen SA for treatment of leukemias and lymphomas with high unmet clinical need. In pre-clinical studies, BAX Activator combinations with venetoclax or other BCL-2 family inhibitors have shown synergistic effect, providing an approach for treating resistant tumors.

Evripidis Gavathiotis, Ph.D., BAKX scientific co-founder and chief science advisor, said, “I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Konopleva to the BAKX Scientific Advisory Board, just months after welcoming her as a colleague to the faculty of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center. Dr. Konopleva’s research and understanding of BCL-2 family proteins, as well as mechanisms of resistance to venetoclax and their implications for venetoclax-based combination therapies, make her insights essential as we advance our portfolio.”

About BAKX Therapeutics

BAKX Therapeutics is a New York and Boston based company focused on developing more effective, more precise and more widely applied therapeutics that realize the full potential of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. BAKX was co-founded by world leading researchers in the field of apoptosis and computational drug discovery. BAKX’s proprietary CoDynX™ drug discovery platform seamlessly integrates computational and experimental capabilities to develop therapeutics in collaboration with researchers who bring unique expertise and knowledge in validated biological pathways. The company’s leading asset (partnered with Ipsen S.A.) is focused on activating the BAX protein. In addition, BAKX is working towards drugging other apoptosis targets to treat cancer and age-related diseases. For more information, visit bakxtx.com.

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