HAYWARD, Calif., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Acologix, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, announced today, the appointment of Mr. Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Sirna Therapeutics, Inc. to the Acologix Board of Directors. Earlier this month, Acologix closed the second tranche of its approximately $30 Million Series C financing. To date, the company has raised over $75 Million, primarily from Japanese and other Asian institutional investors.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Mr. Robin, who has over twenty years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry,” said Yoshi Kumagai, President and CEO of Acologix. “Mr. Robin’s experience in managing pharmaceutical development and multimillion dollar commercial operations will make significant contributions to the Company’s sustained growth.” Added R. Scott Greer, Chairman of the Board, “With the addition of Mr. Robin, Acologix has established a board with the requisite skills and international experience to assist management as the company looks toward a potential future public listing.”
In a position held since 2001, Mr. Robin serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sirna Therapeutics , a clinical-stage biotechnology company located in San Francisco, CA. Sirna develops RNAi-based therapies for serious diseases and conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), hepatitis B and C, dermatology, asthma, Huntington’s disease, diabetes and oncology.
“I am delighted to join the Acologix Board and help management build a leading company focused on osteo-renal diseases,” said Howard Robin. “With a European Phase III clinical study underway and a U.S. pivotal trial expected to begin later this year, I especially am looking forward to assisting Acologix as it formulates its commercialization strategy.”
Prior to joining Sirna Therapeutics, Mr. Robin was Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Therapeutics Division, as well as a member of the Executive Committee, of Berlex Laboratories, Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of the German pharmaceutical firm Schering, AG. During his twenty-year career at Berlex, Mr. Robin held various positions of increasing responsibility, including Vice President of Finance and Business Development as well as Chief Financial Officer. As General Manager of Therapeutics at Berlex, Mr. Robin was responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of drugs such as Fludara(R) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Betaseron(R) for multiple sclerosis, generating worldwide sales in excess of $750 Million. Prior to joining Berlex, Mr. Robin was a senior associate with Arthur Andersen & Co.
In addition to Mr. Robin, Acologix’s board includes R. Scott Greer, a founder, past CEO and current chairman of Abgenix, Inc., Dan Hoth, M.D, a board certified oncologist, past CMO of Arris Pharmaceuticals and Cell Genesys, and past director of Division of AIDS at NIAID, Hatsushi Shimizu, Ph.D., the sole founder and director of Shimizu International Patent Office, Tom Smart, Vice President of Business Development of Xoma Ltd and previously SVP, Corporate Development of GenVec., Aki Watanabe, past managing partner of KPMG Corporate Finance and current managing partner of GCA Corporation, and Yoshi Kumagai, President and CEO of Acologix, Inc.
About Acologix, Inc.
Acologix strives to improve patients’ lives by developing and commercializing innovative biopharmaceuticals targeting “osteo-renal” (bone and kidney) diseases. Acologix’ substantial expertise in identifying and developing therapeutics with unique mechanisms of action in the osteo-renal field will be a key to solving major kidney and bone health problems. Such conditions include chronic kidney disease, renal osteodystrophy, bone repair and regeneration, periodontal disease, general dentistry and oral care. These conditions are present in increasing numbers worldwide and require the development of novel therapeutics. In June 2005, Acologix announced a partnership with Toray Industries, Inc. of Japan on the development and commercialization of AC-820 (or TRK-820), an anti-pruritic agent for the treatment of uremic pruritus in dialysis patients. A European Phase III pivotal clinical study is underway. Acologix plans to launch a US Phase III trial in late 2006. Acologix’ leading hard tissue regeneration compound, AC-100 (Dentonin(R)) is currently under investigation in two Phase II clinical studies in Europe and the United States for the repair of periodontal defects and in dental restorations, respectively. Acologix has raised a total of $77 Million to date, through three rounds of private financing. For further information on Acologix, please refer to the Company’s website at www.acologix.com
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements include statements regarding product development and cannot be guaranteed. Acologix undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Acologix’s business.
Acologix, Inc.
CONTACT: Yoshi Kumagai, President and CEO, of Acologix, Inc., phone,+1-510-512-7200, or fax, +1-510-786-1116, or ir@acologix.com
Web site: http://www.acologix.com/
