HAYWARD, Calif., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kosan Biosciences Incorporated announced the appointment of Jane M. Green, Ph.D., as Vice President, Corporate Communications. Dr. Green will be responsible for the company’s external and internal communications programs, including investor relations, public relations, and communications strategy.
“Jane joins Kosan at an exciting time in Kosan’s development, as we continue to build the therapeutic and commercial potential of our oncology pipeline, to plan for the initiation of later-stage clinical trials for our advancing product candidates, and to enhance our standing as a cancer drug innovator,” said Robert G. Johnson, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Kosan’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Jane’s extensive knowledge of the biotechnology and healthcare industries, her ability to implement effective communications strategies, and the breadth of her relationships with external audiences will be important assets for enhancing the financial community’s understanding of Kosan as a valuable investment opportunity. We welcome Jane to Kosan’s management team.”
Dr. Green has more than 20 years of experience in life sciences communications, investor relations and public affairs. She joins Kosan from JMG Communications, a strategic communications consulting practice. Previously, she served as Vice President, Corporate Communications at Dynavax Technologies Corporation and, before that, at Exelixis, Inc., and held senior positions in communications with Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. and with Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Earlier, she held various positions with Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (now sanofi-aventis) in international corporate communications and federal government relations. Dr. Green holds a B.A. in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in English literature from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
About Kosan
Kosan Biosciences is a biotechnology company advancing two new classes of anticancer agents through clinical development -- Hsp90 (heat shock protein 90) inhibitors and epothilones. Kosan is leveraging its proprietary discovery platform to generate a pipeline of potentially significant product candidates, primarily in the area of oncology.
Hsp90 inhibitors have a novel mechanism of action targeting multiple pathways involved in cancer cell growth and survival. Kosan’s proprietary formulation of tanespimycin (KOS-953) is currently in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, primarily for multiple myeloma in combination with Velcade(R) (bortezomib) and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in combination with Herceptin(R) (trastuzumab). In addition, intravenous and oral formulations of Kosan’s second-generation Hsp90 inhibitor, alvespimycin (KOS-1022), are being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials.
Epothilones inhibit cell division with a mechanism of action similar to taxanes, one of the most successful classes of anti-tumor agents. KOS-862 is currently being studied in a Phase 2 single-agent clinical trial in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, as well as a Phase 2 combination trial with Herceptin. KOS-1584, a second candidate designed to improve pharmacokinetics, is in Phase 1 clinical trials in patients with solid tumors. Kosan’s epothilone program is partnered with Roche through a global development and commercialization agreement.
For additional information on Kosan Biosciences, please visit the company’s website at www.kosan.com .
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to the further development and potential safety, efficacy and commercialization of Kosan’s product candidates. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of Kosan to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to the pre-clinical and clinical development of Kosan’s product candidates, including the risk that studies may not demonstrate safety and efficacy sufficient to initiate clinical trials, continue clinical development, obtain the requisite regulatory approvals or result in a marketable product; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and other periodic filings with the SEC. Kosan does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
NOTE: Velcade(R) (bortezomib) is a registered trademark of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Herceptin(R) (trastuzumab) is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.
Kosan Biosciences Incorporated
CONTACT: Jane M. Green, Vice President, Corporate Communications,+1-510-731-5335, or mobile, +1-415-652-4819, or green@kosan.com, or Gary S.Titus, Chief Financial Officer, +1-510-731-5373, or titus@kosan.com, bothof Kosan Biosciences Incorporated
Web site: http://www.kosan.com/
