BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has named Lawrence Akinsanmi, M.D., Ph.D., to the role of vice president of clinical operations and regulatory affairs. Dr. Akinsanmi brings extensive pharmaceutical and biotech industry knowledge of clinical operations and regulatory affairs. In his previous capacities, Dr. Akinsanmi has had significant experience working with the FDA, including supporting IND submissions and NDA filings, as well as working with foreign regulatory agencies. Dr. Akinsanmi also has broad oncologic drug development knowledge, and has previously worked on several cancer products at various stages of development, including LymphoCide(R), CeaCide(R), Iressa(R), Satraplatin(R), Camptosar(R) and Oral Taxane(R).
Dr. Akinsanmi also possesses expertise in the area of infectious diseases, having previously worked on Leishmaniasis, a disease for which VioQuest plans to file an NDA in 2007. At VioQuest, Dr. Akinsanmi will assume oversight of regulatory affairs and operations as well as be a part of the team working on pre-clinical and clinical studies.
"Lawrence adds a new dimension to the growing VioQuest clinical team. His broad regulatory and clinical operations background in oncology will add depth which is critical with two drugs in clinical trials and the likely NDA filing of VQD-001 in 2007," said Daniel Greenleaf, VioQuest's chief executive officer. "We are very pleased to welcome him to VioQuest."
Prior to joining VioQuest, Dr. Akinsanmi was Global Lead, Early Development & Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs at Daiichi Medical Research, Inc., the 4th largest Japanese Pharmaceutical Company, where he provided global regulatory leadership, direction and management of regulatory activities.
Before that, he was Senior Director, Regulatory & Medical Affairs at Omnicare Clinical Research, Inc., King of Prussia, PA where his responsibilities included strategic planning, regulatory affairs management, project management, product development, and all regulatory filings from pre- IND through post-approval applications. Earlier, Dr. Akinsanmi worked in a similar position at Immunomedics, Inc., Morris Plains, NJ, and was previously at the Department of Pharmacology, NYMC in Valhalla, NY.
Dr. Akinsanmi received his MBCHB (British MD) from Ogun State University in Nigeria in 1989, his DTM&H from the School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine of the University of London, UK in 1993, MRCP from the Royal College of Physicians, UK in 1994, and his Ph.D. from Chelsea University, UK in 2003. He spent a number of years in Academia as Research Assistant, Adjunct Professor and Research Tutor focused in areas of medical and clinical pharmacology of oncology, cardiology, hematology, neuroscience, and endocrinology.
About VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. acquires, develops and commercializes targeted late preclinical and early clinical stage therapies with unique mechanisms of action for oncology, viral and autoimmune disorders. VioQuest has two targeted therapeutics in clinic trials: VQD-001, an inhibitor of specific protein tyrosine phosphatases, has shown compelling preclinical activity in both renal and melanoma cancers, and VQD-002, which has been shown to inhibit the phosphorylation of Akt seen in abnormal levels in breast, ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic and liquid cancers.
VioQuest's subsidiary Chiral Quest, a pioneer in asymmetric chemocatalysis and custom synthesis, offers its proprietary technology products to well-known pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies worldwide to improve their production efficiencies and, in some instances, to increase the overall safety and efficacy of the underlying drug. For more information please visit www.vioquestpharm.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VioQuest's actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that any of VioQuest's research programs and compounds will be successfully commercialized. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions also include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain products may not develop as expected; and that development of these products may not proceed as planned. Additional risks are described in VioQuest's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004. VioQuest assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Noonan Russo: Daniel Greenleaf Investors: Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Weinstein 212-845-4271 Brian Lenz Media: Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Villani 212-845-4262 both at 908-766-4400
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.CONTACT: Daniel Greenleaf, Chief Executive Officer, or Brian Lenz, ChiefFinancial Officer, both of VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-908-766-4400;Investors: Sharon Weinstein, +1-212-845-4271, or Media: Andrew Villani,+1-212-845-4262, both of Noonan Russo
Web site: http://www.vioquestpharm.com/
