EMERYVILLE, Calif., April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE-Amex: NBY) today announced the appointment of Professor John A. Soderquist to the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Soderquist, who is currently Professor of Organic Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at University of Puerto Rico, is recognized worldwide as a thought leader and pioneer in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.
“Dr. Soderquist brings extensive experience in modern synthetic methodologies utilizing boron, silicon reagents to NovaBay,” said Dr. Ron Najafi, NovaBay’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We are extremely honored to have a scientist of the caliber of Professor Soderquist joining our Scientific Advisory Board. His knowledge and advice will greatly assist NovaBay as we continue to advance the development of our novel Aganocide(R) compounds to treat and prevent a wide range of infections in multiple large markets, with low potential for causing resistance.”
Dr. Soderquist has been providing critical input to NovaBay on the development of the Aganocide class of antimicrobial molecules specifically designed by NovaBay to mimic the body’s natural defense against infection. These differentiated, stable, first-in-class compounds may deliver the same or better level of antimicrobial activity than is currently reached by common antibiotics, but without contributing to the growing rise in bacterial resistance. The Aganocide compounds have shown in preclinical trials to be highly effective against bacteria, viruses and fungi. They have also been demonstrated to be effective against bacteria in biofilm, for which most antibiotics are rendered ineffective. These compounds have a broad therapeutic index providing a high degree of potency, good tolerability, together with dosing versatility and flexibility.
Dr Soderquist received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1977 under the direction of Professor Alfred Hassner. He later joined Professor H. C. Brown at Purdue University as a post-doctoral associate where he worked on the chemistry of organoboranes and organosilanes. He is the author of more than 130 research articles and four book chapters. He has made over 360 scientific presentations around the world. Dr. Soderquist’s reagents were selected by Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Company to bear his name. Having Soderquist Reagents available through their catalog is a significant accolade for Dr. Soderquist. Recently, his work was highlighted in the American Chemical Society publication “Noteworthy Chemistry.” In addition, the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie selected one of his articles for its special chemical highlights section. In 2000, Dr. Soderquist was the recipient of the “Boron USA Award for Distinguished Accomplishment in Boron Science.” He has won a total of nine distinguished research awards at the University of Puerto Rico and University of San Francisco.
Dr. Soderquist has graduated over twenty-four Ph.D. students and over eight MS level students. He is also an advisor to BASF Corporation and Mine Safety Appliances.
About NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals is a mid-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing its proprietary and patented Aganocide compounds, first-in-class, stable, novel, synthetic anti-infective product candidates that are equivalent to the active antimicrobial molecules generated within white blood cells to treat and prevent a wide variety of infections without causing resistance. NovaBay has internal development programs aimed at addressing hospital and respiratory infections. The company has a licensing and research collaboration agreement with Alcon, Inc. for use of its Aganocides in the eye, ear and sinus, and in contact lens solutions. NovaBay has entered into an agreement with Galderma S.A. to develop and commercialize Aganocides in acne, impetigo and other dermatological indications. NovaBay(R) and Aganocide(R) are trademarks of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. For more information on NovaBay, visit www.novabaypharma.com.
Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release regarding the potential efficacy of NovaBay’s Aganocide compounds are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk that results obtained in animal models may not be obtained in humans, and the risk of unexpected delays in the regulatory process may delay the commencement or completion of clinical trials. Other risks relating to NovaBay and its Aganocide compounds, including risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements in this press release, are detailed in NovaBay’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of that report, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
CONTACT: Tom Paulson, Chief Financial Officer of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., +1-510-899-8809, tpaulson@novabaypharma.com; or Investor Relations:
Gregory Gin, +1-908-376-7737, ggin@invigoratepr.com, or Media Relations:
Mariesa Kemble, +1-608-850-4745, mkemble@invigoratepr.com, both of
Invigorate Communications, for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Web site: www.novabaypharma.com/
