Martinsried/Munich, July 23, 2008 – Trigen, a Munich-Martinsried based drug development company focusing on the development of highly innovative biologics for use in antithrombotic therapy, today announced the appointments of Dr. Ayad Abdul-Ahad as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and of Dr. Norbert Bender as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Together with Marcus Irsfeld (CFO) they will form the new Trigen management team.
Dr. Ayad Abdul-Ahad joined from Biogen Idec, where he served as VP and Head International Medical Affairs with responsibility for drugs such as natalizumab (Tysabri) and Avonex, in addition to business development and medical marketing. Prior to this, he was VP and Head Clinical Development, CNS, at Berlex Laboratories (Schering), NJ, US, managing the repositioning of interferon beta-1b (Betaseron) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. His former positions included Oncology Group Leader at AstraZeneca, UK, Director Clinical Developments & Regulatory Affairs, SmithKline Beecham, Belgium, and Therapeutic Director Immunology & Oncology, Serono, Switzerland, where was responsible for the clinical development of interferon beta 1a (Rebif). Dr. Abdul-Ahad studied medicine at the University of Baghdad, College of Medicine. He obtained his PhD in immunology/oncology from the University of Southampton, UK, his MSc in medical immunology from London University and the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK), in immunology.
Dr. Norbert Bender studied biology and medicine at the University of Frankfurt. He has over 10 years of experience as a medical doctor specialized in internal medicine with the focus on hemostaseology, cardiology and intensive care medicine. Furthermore, he brings 15 years of experience in big pharmaceutical companies (Head of Clinical Research - Cardiovascular Strategic Business Unit at Hoechst and Global Head of Cardiovascular Drug Development at BASF Pharma Knoll), and from working for two biotech companies (Chief Medical Officer at Cardion, SVP Development at The Vaccines Company). Also, he spent 3 years as Managing Director, PRA office in Mannheim, Germany. During his career he was responsible for 8 drug development programs leading to global registration, including ACE inhibitors at Hoechst and one of the world’s first low molecular weight heparins, during his time at BASF Pharma Knoll.
“Trigen’s board and investors highly welcome Dr. Ayad Abdul-Ahad and Dr. Norbert Bender”, commented Prof. Dr. Erich Schlick, Chairman of Trigen and General Partner at lead investor Wellington Partners. “Dr. Abdul-Ahad is one of the global opinion leaders in the development and positioning of protein drugs, and his expertise is complemented by the in-depth know-how of Dr. Bender in the clinical development of cardiovascular drugs.”
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with Trigen,” said Dr. Abdul-Ahad, “Trigen’s lead project PR-15 is one of the most innovative biologics I have ever come across. The drug works like a plaster for endothelial injuries at the site of atherosclerotic plaques, and the preclinical and clinical data is very consistent and promising. I also look forward to working in a team of experts who can make timely strategic decisions and drive development.”
“Atherothrombosis represents a huge unmet medical need,” added Dr. Bender. “It is by far the largest killer in the world, and antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapies are very much limited by bleeding risks. PR-15 could become the first potent antiplatelet drug which does not induce an additional bleeding risk. This means a change in paradigm, and it clearly could change how we treat diseases like acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction and stroke.”
About Trigen:
Trigen GmbH is a Munich-Martinsried based drug development company focusing on the development of highly innovative agents for use in antithrombotic therapy. The company is managed by a team combining an outstanding experience and track record in the development of innovative cardiovascular drugs and biologics. Trigen’s lead product, PR-15 (a fully-humanized fusion protein), is a potent indirect platelet inhibitor with a novel and unique mode of action. The compound specifically binds to collagen at the site of arteriosclerotic lesions on the vessel wall. It effectively prevents platelet adhesion and activation, the initial steps in arterial thrombosis, without negatively affecting platelet function. PR-15 has successfully completed preclinical testing. In a Phase I clinical study involving 30 subjects, no drug-related adverse events and no increase in bleeding time were observed. PR-15 will be ready to enter into phase II in the first half of 2009.
About Wellington Partners:
www.wellington-partners.com
Wellington Partners ranks among the most successful pan-European venture capital firms. With EUR 800 million under management, the firm invests into opportunities throughout Europe that have the potential to become global leaders, mainly in the areas of Information Technology, Media Convergence and Life Sciences. Since 1991, Wellington has established a worldwide network to aid its entrepreneurs in building companies on a global scale.
Wellington Partners has invested in more than 100 companies in Europe, including publicly traded Actelion, Wavelight and XING, successful privately held companies like Alando (acquired by eBay) and Grandis (acquired by Novartis) as well as current portfolio companies like immatics, mtm laboratories, Oxford Immunotec and Sensimed.
Further information:
Wellington Partners
Prof. Dr. Erich Schlick
Theresienstrasse 6
80333 Munich
Germany
+49 – 171 - 7591097
schlick@wellington-partners.com
Trigen GmbH
Marcus Irsfeld
Fraunhoferstr. 9
82152 Martinsried
Germany
T: +49 - 89 - 85652837
pr@trigen.de
