BioVex Appoints Ex Roche Oncology Head, Kapil Dhingra, to the Board of Directors
WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 22, 2010 - BioVex Inc, a private biotechnology company developing new generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and the prevention of infectious disease, announced today that it has appointed Dr Kapil Dhingra to the Board of Directors as a Non-Executive.
"Kapil brings to the Board considerable experience in progressing oncology products through development to regulatory approval having spent nearly 10 years at Hoffmann-La Roche culminating in his appointment as Head of the Oncology Leadership Team, which was comprised of the Heads of Discovery, Clinical Development, and Strategic Marketing. His experience will be particularly relevant as we conclude our pivotal study in melanoma, and commence preparations for a BLA filing and the potential launch of our lead product; OncoVEX," said Philip Astley-Sparke, President & CEO of BioVex.
"Pending the successful conclusion of an ongoing Phase 3 study next year, OncoVEX is set to be the first oncolytic vaccine to reach the market with the potential to improve upon the efficacy and side effect profile of established treatments in a variety of solid tumor indications. I look forward to working with the Board to fully leverage OncoVEX's promise as it moves to the door step of commercialization", said Dr Kapil Dhingra, Non-Executive Director of BioVex.
From 1999 to June 2008, Dr. Dhingra worked in positions of increasing responsibility at Hoffmann-La Roche, including as Vice President and Head of Oncology Clinical Development from 2002-2008. Prior to Hoffmann-La Roche, from 1996 to 1999, Dr. Dhingra worked as a Clinical/Senior Clinical Research Physician with Eli Lilly and Company and from 1989 to 1996, as an Assistant Professor of Medicine (tenure-track) at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Throughout his industry career, he maintained an active faculty appointment, initially at Indiana University School of Medicine from 1997 to 1999 as Clinical Associate Professor, and, more recently, as Clinical Affiliate at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York from 2000 to 2008. Dr. Dhingra holds an M.B., B.S. degree (equivalent to a US M.D. degree) from the All India Institute of Medical Services, and has performed postgraduate work at the All India Institute of Medical Services, the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center (New York Medical College), Bronx, NY and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
About BioVex
BioVex is a privately held biotechnology company based in Woburn, Mass. where it also has an operational launch grade manufacturing facility. The Company is developing a new class of potent biologics for the treatment of cancer and prevention of infectious disease. In addition to OncoVEX, the Company has a second development program, ImmunoVEX HSV2, a vaccine for genital herpes that provided complete protection in animal models of the disease. The vaccine is currently undergoing clinical testing in the United Kingdom. BioVex closed a $70m funding round late last year representing the second largest venture capital raise in the biotech sector in 2009.
About OncoVEX GM-CSF
OncoVEX GM-CSF is a first in class oncolytic vaccine. OncoVEX replicates selectively in tumors; destroying cancer cells whist leaving surrounding healthy cells unharmed. OncoVEX is also intended to induce a powerful immune response that kills cancer cells throughout the body. Both modes of action have been validated in the clinic, where multiple patients with metastatic disease progressing at enrollment have become free of disease. BioVex believes OncoVEX GM-CSF has the potential to become a leading standard of care in the treatment of many solid tumors based on the strength of clinical data so far generated coupled with the relatively benign side effect profile noted to date. Previous clinical trials have enrolled patients with breast cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancer and pancreatic cancer, with indications of clinical activity being observed in each. The Company is currently conducting a Phase 3 study in metastatic melanoma (the OPTiM study) following achieving an unprecedented proportion of durable complete remissions in a Phase 2 study using OncoVEX GM-CSF as a stand alone therapy. A second phase 3 study in Head and Neck cancer will commence in the fourth quarter.
For further information, please go to www.biovex.com.
Contact: BioVex Inc.
Philip Astley-Sparke, 781-376-4913
President & CEO
[email protected]
or
Shoreham Group LLC
Rebecca Skye Dietrich, 857-241-0795
Vice President
[email protected]