ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metastatix, Inc., an emerging pharmaceutical company focused on the development of small molecule therapeutics, announced today the appointment Carol G. Gallagher, Pharm. D. as President and Chief Executive Officer. Having recently closed a $35 million series B round, Dr. Gallagher will lead the company as it conducts clinical trials of its lead candidate, MSX-122, in cancer patients and as it advances development programs in inflammation and HIV infection.
Dr. Gallagher joins Metastatix from Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where she served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Commercial Affairs.
“I’m very pleased to be joining such an accomplished team and a company that is experiencing such positive momentum,” said Dr. Gallagher. “The recent Series B financing reaffirms that the therapeutics under development at Metastatix have significant potential to bring benefit to patients with serious diseases such as cancer, HIV and inflammation. I look forward to working with the team as we transition Metastatix to a clinical development company.”
“Dr. Gallagher’s extensive experience and knowledge will be a tremendous asset to Metastatix,” said Dr. Bruce Robertson, Chairman of the Board for Metastatix and H.I.G. Ventures Managing Director. “We’re pleased to welcome her to the team and anticipate continued progress and success under her leadership.”
Prior to joining Anadys, Dr. Gallagher was the Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Product Planning at CancerVax Corporation from December 2003 to March, 2006. Prior to joining CancerVax, Dr. Gallagher was Senior Director of Oncology Marketing at Biogen Idec, Inc. During that time, her role included leadership of the Rituxan® franchise and the collaboration with Genentech, Inc.
Previously, Dr. Gallagher was Director, Global Marketing Planning for Oncology and Ophthalmology at Pfizer, Inc. She also held other marketing positions, including product and new product management roles at Agouron Pharmaceuticals, prior to its acquisition by Pfizer. From 1989 to 1997, she held various sales and marketing positions at both Eli Lilly and Co. and Amgen, Inc.
Using technology licensed from Emory University, combined with world-class expertise in medicinal chemistry, Metastatix is developing a robust portfolio of chemical compounds that block the CXCR4 receptor. These compounds have shown efficacy in validated pre-clinical models of cancer, inflammation, and T-tropic HIV infection. This groundbreaking technology was developed by Emory chemist, Dr. Dennis Liotta, one of the foremost experts in small-molecule drug design.
About MSX-122:
MSX-122 is a potent inhibitor of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, which is activated by stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1). The interaction between SDF-1 and CXCR4 has been shown to promote chemotaxis and angiogenesis in multiple cancer cell types. In preclinical studies, MSX-122 has displayed a favorable pharmacodynamic and safety profile while inhibiting the function of CXCR4, thus affecting downstream cellular events.
About Metastatix:
Metastatix develops orally administered small molecule drugs that are believed to be safe and effective, and which the company anticipates will address numerous severely debilitating and life-threatening diseases such as cancer, inflammation and HIV. By combining big company experience with entrepreneurial innovation, the privately held, Atlanta-based, emerging pharmaceutical company has created a portfolio of chemokine receptor inhibitors covered by multiple patents. For more information, please visit www.metastatix.com.
Contact: Metastatix Mike Garrett, M.S., 678-367-0720 Senior Director, Corporate Development info@metastatix.com or Hood Solutions Lynn Hood, 404-872-2299 Lynn.Hood@hoodsolutions.com
Source: Metastatix
