CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioAxone BioSciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative drugs to restore neurological function, today announced it has entered a contract with Wilmington PharmaTech to manufacture the company’s BA-1049, a selective inhibitor of Rho kinase 2 (ROCK2). The contract is in preparation for an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing. BioAxone also welcomed new personnel to its manufacturing oversight team, Kenneth Feld, Ph.D., and Steven Riesinger, Ph.D.
“BioAxone is delighted to welcome Kenneth and Steven, two leaders in the field of chemistry and manufacturing. They both have a proven track record in lead optimization, drug development and commercialization and will be of great value to our company.”
“As we continue to plan for the future development of our first-in-class, selective ROCK2 inhibitor BA-1049, this contract allows us to move towards our goal of clinical trials,” said Lisa McKerracher, Ph.D., CEO of BioAxone BioSciences. “BioAxone is delighted to welcome Kenneth and Steven, two leaders in the field of chemistry and manufacturing. They both have a proven track record in lead optimization, drug development and commercialization and will be of great value to our company.”
Dr. Feld brings expertise in the development and commercialization of drug delivery dosage forms. His background includes work with Cephalon and Patheon Pharmaceuticals where his responsibilities encompassed all chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CM&C) related program activities from scale-up, through validation and post-approval.
Dr. Riesinger’s background includes scientifically rigorous medicinal chemistry services for early and mid-stage small molecule drug discovery companies. Previously, he ran early discovery screening, hit and lead generation, lead optimization, toxicology, formulation and selectivity testing for Synta, Enanta Pharmaceuticals and Mercury Therapeutics.
About BA-1049
BA-1049 is a first-in-class Rho kinase 2 (ROCK2) inhibitor targeting the protein kinase that causes cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM). BA-1049 normalizes ROCK2 signaling in brain endothelial cells thus restoring the blood-brain barrier function.
About Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM)
Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a serious genetic disease which allows blood to leak into the brain. In patients with CCM, endothelial cells form single or multiple cystic brain lesions that leak and may cause seizure, hemorrhagic stroke and neurological deficits. Inherited cases of CCM are caused by loss of function in one of the 3 CCM genes (CCM1, CCM2 and CCM3) and the numbers of lesions rise with age, increasing risk of a hemorrhagic event. Sporadic cases result from mutations in the same genes.
About BioAxone BioSciences
BioAxone BioSciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative drugs to restore neurological function for patients with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) and other malformations in central nervous system with unmet medical need. Led by a team of scientists renowned for their work on axon regeneration and neuronal signaling pathways, BioAxone has a pioneering SCI drug currently in a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial with Vertex, and is positioned to move other candidates into clinical trials. For more information, visit www.bioaxonebio.com
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Beth Kurth, 617-374-8800, ext. 106
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