Alnara Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment of Lee R. Brettman, M.D., FACP, to Chief Medical Officer
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alnara Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company developing novel, non-systemic orally delivered protein therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic diseases, today announced the appointment of Lee R. Brettman, M.D., FACP, to the newly created position of chief medical officer. This appointment reflects Alnara's continued growth as the company prepares to submit a new drug application (NDA) and bring to market liprotamase, a novel, oral, non-porcine pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Dr. Brettman brings to Alnara nearly 20 years of pharmaceutical industry leadership experience, and more than 10 years of experience at various academic institutions. Most recently, Dr. Brettman was the founder, president and CEO of Dynogen Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company focused on gastrointestinal and genitourinary disorders. Prior to Dynogen, he was the first entrepreneur in residence at Oxford Bioscience Partners and served as chief medical officer and senior vice president, medical and regulatory affairs at Millenium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Brettman's expertise in drug development has led to several approvals of important products including oncology therapies Velcade® (bortezomib) and Campath® (alemtuzumab). Dr. Brettman received his M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Brettman to Alnara's expanded management team," said Alexey Margolin, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer. "Lee's proven experience in overseeing drug development, including NDA filings and product launches for several therapeutics that are currently on the market, will be invaluable as Alnara prepares to submit an NDA with the FDA for liprotamase and advances our efforts to prepare for commercialization."
"I am excited to join Alnara at such a pivotal time in the company's evolution as it prepares to launch liprotamase," said Dr. Brettman. "There is a significant need for improved pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies like liprotamase for patients with pancreatic insufficiency to improve nutritional status, which is tied to overall health. For patients living with cystic fibrosis, nutritional status is important in terms of respiratory health, and has been directly tied to better lung function and survival. Liprotamase offers potential advantages over the existing standard of care, and I look forward to helping Alnara bring this important new product to patients."
About Alnara
Alnara Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is dedicated to developing and commercializing novel protein therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic diseases. The company's innovative approach focuses on designing effective protein therapies that can be orally delivered directly to the gastrointestinal tract without being absorbed into the bloodstream. Alnara's lead product is liprotamase, a novel, non-porcine pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, which has completed Phase 3 clinical development in collaboration with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT). The company is committed to bringing breakthrough new treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Alnara is backed by an experienced management team and top-tier venture investors, including Frazier Healthcare Ventures, Third Rock Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.alnara.com.