MARKHAM, ON, March 12 /PRNewswire/ - Cytochroma Inc. announced today the appointment of Dr. P. Martin Petkovich as full-time Chief Scientific Officer.
In his newly expanded role, Dr. Petkovich will help propel the development and commercialization of promising new Vitamin D products thereby providing nephrologists with more effective tools to treat disorders and deficiencies related to vitamin D hormone deficiency in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
“I am excited by Cytochroma’s exceptional product pipeline and its proven ability to advance new products into the clinic,” said Dr. Petkovich. “I believe that this combination will ensure Cytochroma’s success in bringing excellent new therapies to CKD patients.”
Dr. Petkovich received his PhD from the University of Toronto in 1986 and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Pierre Chambon in Strasbourg, France. Thereafter, he joined Queen’s University where he continues to hold a Full Professorship. Dr. Petkovich is known internationally as an expert in vitamin and hormone regulation of gene expression and metabolism. Dr. Petkovich co-founded Cytochroma in 1996 at Queen’s University and has led the discovery of a number of innovative products with applications in dermatology and in CKD. To date, Dr. Petkovich has served as a part-time consultant to Cytochroma.
“Dr. Petkovich brings to Cytochroma a wealth of scientific knowledge and research experience which greatly strengthens the company’s ability to develop and commercialize proprietary technologies directed toward CKD,” stated Charles W. Bishop, PhD, Cytochroma’s President and CEO. “We welcome Dr. Petkovich as he begins a greater involvement with Cytochroma.”
About Chronic Kidney Disease and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Vitamin D and its analogs are currently used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with CKD or end-stage renal disease. According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than nine million North American patients suffer from moderate to severe CKD. Many develop vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism which, if untreated, can cause debilitating bone diseases and increased patient morbidity and mortality.
About Cytochroma Inc.
Cytochroma (www.cytochroma.com) is an integrated specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of proprietary products to treat and prevent the clinical consequences of diseases and disorders related to vitamin D hormone deficiency. The Company has an advanced portfolio of new products targeting vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. In addition, the Company is developing novel vitamin D therapies to treat hyperproliferative disorders such as cancer and psoriasis.
Cytochroma Inc.
CONTACT: Eric J. Messner, Vice President, Commercial Operations, (905)479-5306 ext. 338, eric.messner@cytochroma.com
