Agilis Biotherapeutics Names Former Lundbeck Executive, Christopher J. Silber, MD, as Chief Medical Officer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Agilis Biotherapeutics, LLC (Agilis), a biotechnology company advancing innovative gene therapy products for the treatment of rare genetic diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS), announced today that the Company has appointed Christopher J Silber, MD, as its Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Silber has more than 25 years of clinical development leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry including orphan drug development, with extensive therapeutic experience in neuroscience. Prior to joining Agilis, he spent seven years at H. Lundbeck A/S, a company specializing in brain disease, in senior management positions, including most recently Vice President US Clinical Development Center.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Silber with his leadership and background in clinical-regulatory development and strategic planning. Chris brings extensive scientific and clinical experience to Agilis that is directly aligned with our mission to help patients with rare CNS diseases"
"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Silber with his leadership and background in clinical-regulatory development and strategic planning. Chris brings extensive scientific and clinical experience to Agilis that is directly aligned with our mission to help patients with rare CNS diseases," stated Dr. Mark Pykett, President and CEO of Agilis. "His extensive drug development experience makes him an ideal addition to Agilis' team as we advance our gene therapy portfolio through successive stages of clinical study toward registration. We are delighted to have Chris lead Agilis' clinical development programs and bring life-changing gene therapies to patients with devastating rare CNS disorders in desperate need of treatment options."

During his career, Dr. Silber has established a strong track record in drug development, having overseen the transition of numerous drugs from discovery to first-in-human clinical assessments, the filing of more than two dozen INDs, the submission and support of 10 New Drug Applications (NDAs), and the successful completion of multiple FDA Advisory Committee meetings.

"I am thrilled to join Agilis at this exciting stage of the Company's growth," stated Dr. Silber. "Agilis' promising portfolio of gene therapy programs and powerful technologies for rare CNS disorders positions the Company at the forefront of this new frontier of medicine. As Chief Medical Officer, I am intently focused on successfully advancing these programs into and through clinical development to provide important new therapies for the patients Agilis serves."

During his tenure at Lundbeck (and Ovation Pharmaceuticals), Dr. Silber led development teams supporting the approval and commercialization of SABRIL® and ONFI®. Prior to Lundbeck and Ovation, Dr. Silber held executive roles of increasing responsibility in clinical research and medical affairs at Takeda, Hospira, Abbott and Forest Laboratories. Dr. Silber received a B.A. from Tufts University, a M.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, and did post-graduate training at Duke University Medical Center.

About Agilis Biotherapeutics, LLC

Agilis is advancing innovative gene therapies designed to provide long-term efficacy for patients with debilitating, often fatal, rare genetic diseases that affect the central nervous system. Our therapies are engineered to impart sustainable clinical benefits, and potentially a functional cure, by inducing persistent expression of a therapeutic gene. The Company's technology is aimed at the precise targeting and restoration of lost gene function, while avoiding unintended off-target effects. Our integrated strategy increases the efficiency of developing DNA therapeutics into safe, targeted gene therapies that achieve long-term efficacy and enable patients to remain asymptomatic without continuous invasive treatment. Agilis' rare disease programs are focused on gene therapy for Friedreich's ataxia, Angelman syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, rare genetic diseases that include severe neurological deficits and result in physically debilitating conditions.

We invite you to visit our website at www.agilisbio.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and projections about future events and generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for the development of our business. Although management believes that the plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual future results may be materially different from the plans, objectives and expectations expressed in this press release.

Contacts

Agilis Biotherapeutics
Dr. Jodi Cook, 510-673-7809
Vice President, Operations & Strategic Alliances
[email protected]