REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Dec. 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Relypsa, Inc. (Nasdaq:RLYP), today announced that Stephen D. Harrison, M.A., Ph.D., has joined the company as senior vice president and chief scientific officer. Dr. Harrison, a biochemist and molecular biologist, is highly published and has extensive experience leading product-driven research organizations at all stages, from target identification to early clinical development.
"I am tremendously pleased to have Steve join our organization to lead an enhanced effort in pipeline development," said John A. Orwin, president and chief executive officer. "With our lead product, Patiromer FOS, positioned for potential approval in 2015, we are looking to expand our product pipeline for continued growth and value appreciation in the future. Steve will help execute on our vision to build a fully integrated, multi-product biopharmaceutical company with a robust pipeline created through intrinsic discovery as well as promising and complementary in-license candidates."
Prior to joining Relypsa, Dr. Harrison was vice president, Research Biology at Nektar Therapeutics, a leader in polymer conjugate therapeutics, where for four years he managed global oncology and pain research efforts. Prior to Nektar, he was senior vice president, Research at KAI Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on peptide modulators of protein interactions. While at KAI, Dr. Harrison generated one development candidate per year and led discovery efforts, including the company's lead compound for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism, which served as the basis for the company's eventual acquisition by Amgen. Earlier in his career, Dr. Harrison held senior research positions at Chiron Corporation and Thios Pharmaceuticals. He holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, a M.A. and B.A. in Biochemistry all from University of Cambridge, England.
About Relypsa, Inc.
Relypsa, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of non-absorbed polymeric drugs to treat disorders in the areas of renal, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Patiromer for Oral Suspension (Patiromer FOS) for the treatment of hyperkalemia, a serious condition defined as abnormally elevated levels of potassium in the blood. Relypsa has global royalty-free commercialization rights to Patiromer FOS, which has intellectual property protection in the U.S. until at least 2030. More information is available at www.relypsa.com.
Forward Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Relypsa, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the experience, expertise and expected impact of Dr. Harrison, the potential approval in 2015 of Patiromer For Oral Suspension (Patiromer FOS) and the company's development and commercial plans. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our clinical development program, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the clinical drug development process, including the regulatory approval process, the timing of the company's regulatory filings, the company's substantial dependence on Patiromer FOS, the company's commercialization plans and efforts and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of Patiromer FOS. Relypsa undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of the company in general, see Relypsa's current and future reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014.
CONTACT: Sylvia Wheeler V.P. Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs 650-421-9504 [email protected]