WESTON, Fla., Aug. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cantex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing medications that block critical mechanisms by which cancer spreads and resists treatment, today announced key additions to its senior management team that bring strategic experience in finance and clinical operations as the Company advances its corporate and development strategies. New members of the executive management team include Juan F. Rodriguez, Chief Financial Officer, and Karen Ivester, RN, MA, PMP, Vice President of Clinical Operations.
Stephen Marcus, M.D., President of Cantex Pharmaceuticals, commented, "Juan and Karen bring a wealth of experience to Cantex at a particularly exciting point in the company's history. As we move towards initiating randomized clinical trials of CX-01 in acute myeloid leukemia and small cell lung cancer, there is a tremendous opportunity to not only demonstrate the potential of this technology in the clinic, but also the potential value that it brings to Cantex and the oncology field as a whole. Juan and Karen will be instrumental in these endeavors, and we greatly look forward to benefiting from their expertise."
Neil Flanzraich, Chairman and CEO of Cantex, said, "We recently shared favorable study results, which suggest that CX-01 may enhance both the effectiveness and safety of the current initial treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Based on this research, clearly defined mechanisms of action, and our prior clinical and preclinical studies of CX-01, Cantex intends to initiate randomized clinical trials of CX-01 in acute myeloid leukemia and small cell lung cancer. Juan and Karen will be valuable to the team as we move toward and beyond these goals."
Juan Rodriguez brings more than 20 years of financial and business leadership experience to Cantex, the majority of which has been in the life sciences field. Most recently, Mr. Rodriguez served as Chief Financial Officer at OPKO Health, Inc. and has, since 2007, served as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Cognitec Systems GmbH, a German software developer. From 1995 to 2007, prior to its acquisition by Abbott Laboratories, Mr. Rodriguez was with Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly traded, specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of proprietary prescription products. During his 12 years at Kos, Mr. Rodriguez held various positions of increasing responsibility, last serving as Senior Vice President, Controller and Corporate Administration. Mr. Rodriguez is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his Bachelor of Accounting from Florida International University.
Karen Ivester has 28 years' experience managing clinical trials, including 14 years' direct experience in oncology therapeutics. Prior to Cantex, Ms. Ivester held the positions of Head Early Phase Oncology, Solid Tumor Division for Quintiles; Director, Global Hematology/Oncology Group at Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD-CRO); Senior Portfolio Director, Account and Partnership Management at PAREXEL; and Senior Project Manager at Quintiles Transnational. Additionally, Ms. Ivester has held positions at Emory University, Winship Cancer Institute, Applied Sciences, Inc, VA AIDS Research Center and VA Medical Center, AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta, and Shepherd Spinal Center. Ms. Ivester is a registered nurse and earned a Master of Arts in Psychology from Georgia School of Professional Psychology Professional Counseling Specialty and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Arts from the College of St. Francis.
About Cantex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Cantex is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing medications that block critical mechanisms by which cancer spreads and resists treatment. The Company's lead product candidate, CX-01, is in clinical development for acute myeloid leukemia and lung cancer. CX-01 is a rationally designed complex carbohydrate that blocks the activity of several chemokines that support the growth and spread of cancer and its resistance to treatment and that contribute to the delay of bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy. For more information, please visit www.cantex.com.
For Cantex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:
Media / Investor Contacts:
Stephen G. Marcus, M.D.
Juan F. Rodriguez
954-315-3660
Janine McCargo / Tirth Patel
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
646-604-5150 / 212-375-2681