BEDMINSTER, N.J., Nov. 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma Holdings, Inc. (“Matinas BioPharma” or the “Company”) (OTCQB:MTNB), an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of omega-3 fatty acid-based prescription therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, announced today that it has appointed Kevin C. Maki, Ph.D. to its recently formed Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
Dr. Maki is a leading clinical lipid specialist with extensive experience in the design and conduct of clinical trials in human nutrition, metabolism and chronic disease management. He has participated in more than 250 clinical trials and observational studies as an investigator, consultant or statistician. Dr. Maki is the Founder and Chief Science Officer of the Midwest Center for Metabolic & Cardiovascular Research, serves as a Clinical Investigator at Great Lakes Clinical Trials and Adjunct Faculty in Biostatistics and Applied Epidemiology at DePaul University in Chicago. He is a certified Clinical Lipid Specialist and a Fellow of the National Lipid Association, The Obesity Society and the American College of Nutrition, as well as a member of the Board of Governors of the Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology. Dr. Maki is also a member and spokesperson for the National Lipid Association’s Expert Panel, and a co-author on the paper setting forth the NLA’s patient-centered recommendations for dyslipidemia management (see also: http://www.lipidjournal.com/article/S1933-2874%2814%2900274-8/abstract).
Roelof Rongen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Matinas BioPharma, commented, “I am very pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Maki to our newly formed SAB. His clinical trial expertise in lipidology fits perfectly with the research and development strategy for our proprietary docosa-pentaenoic acid (DPA) prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based lipid technology. Dr. Maki’s experience in designing and executing clinical studies related to cardiovascular disease and other metabolic disorders will be an important guiding factor as we progress our lead product candidate, MAT9001, into Phase 3 registration for treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia in 2015.”
Previously, Dr. Maki was the founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Provident Clinical Research, now Biofortis. Earlier in his career he held positions as the Chief Science Officer and Director of Nutrition and Metabolism Research at the Chicago Center for Clinical Research as well as serving as a Research Scientist at the Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Hines in Illinois.
Dr. Maki stated, “I look forward to working closely with the Matinas BioPharma team and believe there is an opportunity to demonstrate MAT9001’s potential as a highly differentiated, next generation omega-3 prescription treatment for severe hypertriglyceridemia.”
Dr. Maki’s research has been extensively published in more than 200 scientific papers and he has authored or co-authored several books and book chapters, including Practical Lipid Management, Concepts and Controversies. He is a member of the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Society of Nutrition and the Obesity Society. Dr. Maki earned a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois School of Public Health and a M.S. in Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiovascular Health from Benedictine University.
About MAT9001
MAT9001 is a proprietary prescription-only omega-3 fatty acid-based composition, comprising docosa-pentaenoic acid (DPA) and other omega-3 fatty acids, which is under development for therapeutic applications with severe hypertriglyceridemia (TG>500 mg/dL) as the lead indication. Promising pre-clinical studies with DPA and MAT9001 indicate distinctive therapeutic response properties. The Company has recently filed an IND for MAT9001 and initiated its first human study earlier this month. The Company believes that its development program and related clinical investigations may yield an improved therapeutic profile compared to existing therapies, based on MAT9001’s differentiating mechanistic features associated with its unique composition.
About Matinas BioPharma
Matinas BioPharma is a development stage biopharmaceutical company, founded in 2011, with a focus on identifying and developing novel pharmaceutical products for the treatment of abnormalities in blood lipids, referred to as dyslipidemia, and the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Led by an experienced management team and a board of directors with a history of building pharmaceutical companies, Matinas is focused on creating the next generation of omega-3-fatty-acid-based pharmaceutical products. Our lead product, MAT9001, which takes advantage of advancements in the field of lipidomics, has been specifically designed and formulated for therapeutic applications in the dyslipidemia field. For more information, please visit www.matinasbiopharma.com and connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+.
Forward Looking Statements: This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the Company’s product development, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, cash flow and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “could”, “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to successfully complete research and further development and commercialization of MAT9001; our ability to obtain additional capital to meet our liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete the clinical trials for MAT9001; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; our ability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the Company’s products; and the other factors listed under “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Matinas BioPharma’s lead product candidate MAT9001 is in a development stage and is not available for sale or use.
CONTACT: Investor and Media Contact Jenene Thomas Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Advisor Jenene Thomas Communications, LLC Phone: +1 (908) 938-1475 Email: jthomas@matinasbiopharma.com
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