TARRYTOWN, N.Y., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EpiCept Corporation today announced that it has named Stephane Allard, M.D. as the Company’s new chief medical officer. Dr. Allard brings nearly 30 years of clinical research and medical affairs experience to EpiCept, having held senior level positions at Biovest International, Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc. and Wyeth. Prior to his appointment at EpiCept, Dr. Allard was president of Allard and Associates, where he assisted international biotech companies achieve their business objectives in the U.S. and advised start-up biotech companies on development and financing issues.
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“We are excited at the addition of Dr. Allard to our management team,” stated Jack Talley, president and chief executive officer of EpiCept. “With his wealth of experience and proven track record in clinical development at some of the industry’s most successful companies, Dr. Allard will play a pivotal role in the continued advancement of our promising pain and cancer programs. His specialized expertise in oncology with both the EMEA and the FDA will be of particular importance to us as we pursue approval in Europe for Ceplene, our registration-stage compound for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.”
Prior to his tenure at Allard and Associates, Dr. Allard served as president and chief executive officer of Biovest International, Inc., a biotech company that provides cell culture services, manufactures hollow fiber bioreactors and developed a personalized vaccine for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. During his career, Dr. Allard has also served as vice president, Medical Affairs for Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc., and associate medical director for Wyeth (American Home Products Corporation).
Dr. Allard received his M.D. from Rouen Medical College. He is a member of several professional societies and is the author of 27 publications.
About EpiCept Corporation
EpiCept is focused on unmet needs in the treatment of pain and cancer. EpiCept has a staged portfolio of pharmaceutical product candidates with several pain therapies in late-stage clinical trials, and a lead oncology compound (for acute myeloid leukemia, or AML) with demonstrated efficacy in a Phase III trial; a marketing authorization application for this compound has been submitted in Europe. EpiCept is based in Tarrytown, N.Y., and its research and development team in San Diego is pursuing a drug discovery program focused on novel approaches to apoptosis.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release and any oral statements made with respect to the information contained in this news release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements which express plans, anticipation, intent, contingency, goals, targets, future development and are otherwise not statements of historical fact. These statements are based on EpiCept’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or developments to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or developments to differ materially include: the risk that Ceplene will not receive regulatory approval or marketing authorization in the EU, the risk that our other product candidates that appeared promising in early research and clinical trials do not demonstrate safety and/or efficacy in larger-scale or later stage clinical trials, the risk that EpiCept will not obtain approval to market any of its product candidates, the risks associated with reliance on additional outside financing to meet its capital requirements, the risks associated with reliance on collaborative partners and others for further clinical trials, development, manufacturing and commercialization of our product candidates; the cost, delays and uncertainties associated with our scientific research, product development, clinical trials and regulatory approval process; our history of operating losses since our inception; competition; litigation; risks associated with our ability to maintain our listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market and our ability to receive stockholder approval for the Private Placement and SEDA; risks associated with our ability to have our common stock readmitted to trading on The Nasdaq Global Market; risks associated with the material weaknesses in our internal controls and the outcome of our SOX 404 audit; and risks associated with our ability to protect our intellectual property. These factors and other material risks are more fully discussed in EpiCept’s periodic reports, including its reports on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are urged to carefully review and consider the disclosures found in EpiCept’s filings which are available at www.sec.gov or at www.epicept.com. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, any of which could turn out to be wrong due to inaccurate assumptions, unknown risks or uncertainties or other risk factors.
EPCT-GEN
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CONTACT: Robert W. Cook of EpiCept Corporation, +1-914-606-3572,rcook@epicept.com; or Media: Francesca T. DeVellis of Feinstein KeanHealthcare, +1-617-577-8110, francesca.devellis@fkhealth.com; or Investors:Kim Sutton Golodetz, +1-212-838-3777, kgolodetz@lhai.com, or Bruce Voss,+1-310-691-7100, bvoss@lhai.com, both of Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates;all for EpiCept Corporation
Web site: http://www.epicept.com/
