Burlingame, CA – July 10, 2012 – Cleave Biosciences has appointed David Wustrow, Ph.D. as Vice President of Chemistry, a newly created executive position at the biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing novel therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Dr. Wustrow will oversee Cleave’s chemistry programs, including lead optimization and selection of clinical drug candidates.
“Dr. Wustrow has an excellent drug discovery track record and will help our team at Cleave Biosciences accelerate the discovery of drug candidates against novel targets in protein homeostasis pathways and their entry into clinical trials,” said Laura Shawver, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Cleave Biosciences.
Dr. Wustrow has 23 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and development, medicinal chemistry and early discovery and development projects, including leadership positions at Xenoport, Inc., Neurogen Corporation and Pfizer. Prior to Cleave, Dr. Wustrow held the positions of Vice President, Medical Chemistry and Executive Director of Scientific Assessment and Licensing at Xenoport, where he advanced discovery-stage assets through external research and business development activities and served as the co-chair of the Exploratory Research Committee. Prior to Xenoport, Dr. Wustrow was the Executive Director of Chemistry at Neurogen where he provided strategic and tactical direction to discovery and early-stage development programs. He previously served as the Senior Director of Neuroscience Chemistry at Pfizer, where he led a cross-functional team to deliver preclinical development candidates for the treatment of pain, inflammation and psychiatric diseases. Dr. Wustrow holds a Ph.D. in Organic Synthesis from The University of Rochester in Rochester, New York.
“I am pleased to be joining such a dynamic team to participate in the hunt for novel small molecule medicines for people with cancer,” said Dr. Wustrow.
About Cleave Biosciences
Cleave Biosciences is discovering and developing novel small molecule therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers by targeting protein homeostasis through the ubiquitin proteasome and autophagy systems, an area of unrealized potential. Cleave is using molecular profiling approaches with the goal of identifying patient subsets most likely to benefit from each of its targeted drugs. The company is privately held and located in Burlingame, California. For additional information, visit www.cleavebio.com.
