SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - February 10, 2015) - Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, orally available small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of severe chronic blood diseases, announced today the appointment of Peter Radovich as the company’s vice president of program leadership and business strategy. Mr. Radovich, who possesses more than 13 years of biotechnology industry experience, will be responsible for overseeing the company’s project management, chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC), commercial strategy and public relations functions.
The company recently initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial of its lead drug candidate, GBT440, for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). GBT440 is an oral, once daily dosing, direct-acting sickle hemoglobin (HbS) modifier for the chronic, prophylactic treatment of patients with SCD. The drug is a potential best-in-class disease modifier that works by increasing hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen. Since oxygenated hemoglobin does not polymerize, GBT440 blocks polymerization of HbS and the resultant sickling of red blood cells (RBCs). With the promise of restoring normal hemoglobin dynamics, GBT440 may be capable of preventing and halting the progression of SCD.
“Peter possesses broad experience and success in overseeing development and commercialization programs for a number of highly regarded drugs, including Kyprolis®. This expertise will prove to be valuable as we continue to advance GBT440 through clinical development and toward market,” said Ted W. Love, M.D., chief executive officer of GBT. “We look forward to the important contributions that we know Peter will make to the GBT440 program and our company.”
Mr. Radovich most recently served as vice president of program leadership at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Amgen, where he led the company’s global, cross-functional product team responsible for the development and commercialization of Kyprolis®. Prior to this role, he held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in Onyx’s commercial organization supporting Kyprolis® and Nexavar®. During his tenure at Onyx, he was a key member of the deal team for Onyx’s acquisition of Proteolix. Prior to Onyx, he was at Chiron Corporation (now Novartis) in product marketing supporting Proleukin® (interleukin-2) in multiple oncology indications. Mr. Radovich holds an M.B.A. from Washington University in Saint Louis and a B.A. in biology and chemistry from Texas Christian University.
“This position with GBT provides an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of the millions of SCD patients worldwide,” said Mr. Radovich. “I am excited to contribute to the development of a drug with the unique profile of GBT440 and look forward to working with the GBT team to advance this important therapeutic candidate.”
About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder caused by a genetic mutation leading to formation of hemoglobin S (HbS). A primary and obligatory event in the molecular pathogenesis of SCD is the polymerization of deoxygenated HbS. This polymerization results in the red blood cell (RBC) sickling that causes the normally flexible RBCs to become rigid with a significantly shorter lifespan.
Sickled RBCs cannot adapt their shape to allow uninterrupted flow through capillaries (smaller blood vessels). Sickled cells, unlike flexible healthy RBCs, stack up against each other, blocking normal blood flow. As a consequence of the resulting vascular occlusion, patients with SCD suffer acute and chronic complications including unpredictable and recurrent episodes of severe pain, progressive organ damage, stroke and a shortened life expectancy.
About Global Blood Therapeutics
Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, small molecule therapeutics to treat grievous blood disorders. The company is addressing serious, non-malignant blood-based conditions for which there are currently only limited therapy. Lead drug candidate, GBT440, is a potentially disease-modifying therapeutic for patients with sickle cell disease. GBT440 is in a Phase I/II clinical trial. In addition to GBT440, the company is advancing pipeline research programs addressing hereditary angioedema (HAE) and hypoxemic pulmonary disorders.
To learn more, please visit: www.globalbloodtx.com.
Contact Information:
Stephanie Diaz (investors)
Vida Strategic Partners
415-675-7401
Email Contact
Tim Brons (media)
Vida Strategic Partners
415-675-7402
Email Contact
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