STOCKHOLM - September 8, 2014. Karolinska Development announced today that Bruno Lucidi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the wholly owned subsidiary KDev Oncology and the portfolio companies Aprea and Akinion Pharmaceuticals. KDev Oncology assists the clinical portfolio companies in developing cancer drugs and attracting strategic partners and co-investors. Bruno Lucidi has previously held positions as CEO of Idenix and Chairman of Pharmasset in addition to a solid background in oncology as European head of Oncology for Bristol-Myers Squibb and Global Head of Oncology Strategy for Johnson & Johnson.
Bruno Lucidi has extensive international experience in the pharmaceutical industry. In his previous positions as CEO of Idenix and Chairman of Pharmasset, he has contributed to maturing the companies to a level that eventually resulted in both companies being acquired by multinational pharmaceutical companies. He has also held senior positions within Bristol-Myers Squibb as European Head of Oncology, at Johnson & Johnson as Global Head of Oncology Strategy from Drug Discovery to Market and at GlaxoSmithKline.
"We are delighted to welcome Bruno Lucidi to KDev Oncology, Aprea and Akinion. His solid experience in managing research companies to create significant value for shareholders, as well as his unique network in the international pharmaceutical and financial industry are invaluable assets to our portfolio companies Akinion and Aprea", says Dr. Terje Kalland, Chairman of KDev Oncology and Akinion.
Bruno Lucidi will assume his new position at KDev Oncology on September 8, 2014.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Terje Kalland, Chairman of KDev Oncology AB and Akinion Pharmaceuticals AB, and CSO of Karolinska Development AB
Phone: +46 (0)76 891 73 01, e-mail: [email protected]
Torbjörn Bjerke, Chairman of Aprea AB and CEO of Karolinska Development AB
Phone: +46 (0)72 744 41 23, e-mail: [email protected]
TO THE EDITORS
About Karolinska Development AB
Karolinska Development aims to create value for patients, researchers, investors and society by developing innovations from world class science into differentiated products that can be partnered. The business model is to: SELECT the most commercially attractive medical innovations that can potentially satisfy unmet medical needs; DEVELOP innovations to the stage where the greatest return on investment can be achieved; and COMMERCIALIZE the innovations through the sale of companies or out-licensing of products. An exclusive deal flow agreement with Karolinska Institutet Innovations AB, along with other cooperation agreements with leading universities, delivers a continuous flow of innovations. Today, the portfolio consists of 33 projects, of which 16 are in clinical development. For more information, please visit www.karolinskadevelopment.com.
Karolinska Development is listed on NASDAQ OMX. Karolinska Development may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act.
About Aprea AB
Aprea AB is a Swedish biotech company focusing on discovery and development of novel anticancer compounds targeting the tumor suppressor protein p53. A clinical Phase I/II study of the company's candidate drug APR-246 in patients with ovarian cancer is currently ongoing. The main owner of Aprea is KDev Investments AB, part of Karolinska Development AB (publ). The other main owners are Östersjöstiftelsen, Praktikerinvest and KD Co-Investment Fund KB. For more information, please visit www.aprea.com.
About Akinion Pharmaceuticals AB
Akinion Pharmaceuticals AB is a Swedish biotech company founded in 2009. The company is developing kinase receptor inhibitors for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and the clinical development of the candidate drug AKN-028 is underway. Akinion Pharmaceuticals is part of the Karolinska Development portfolio of companies. For more information, please visit www.akinion.com.