David Blakey Ph.D. joins MiNA Therapeutics as Chief Scientific Officer
London, United Kingdom, October 13, 2015 – MiNA Therapeutics, the pioneer in RNA activation therapeutics, today announced the appointment of David Blakey Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Blakey will lead the Company's research and development activities.
"David brings to MiNA a depth of scientific expertise that will be critical in advancing our pipeline of innovative RNA-based therapies," said Robert Habib, CEO of MiNA Therapeutics. "He is a proven leader in drug development and has a track record of progressing cutting edge oligonucleotide programs across a range of diseases areas."
Dr. Blakey joins from AstraZeneca where he held numerous roles in research and development over 28 years. Since 2008, Dr. Blakey served as Chief Scientist in Oncology. In this role, he developed AstraZeneca's strategy in therapeutic oligonucleotides, including collaborations with Isis Pharmaceuticals, Regulus Therapeutics and Moderna Therapeutics. Prior to this, Dr. Blakey led AstraZeneca's first major collaboration in therapeutic antibodies with Abgenix. He led a team that identified 36 therapeutic targets over three years and progressed a pipeline of fully human antibodies including the MEDI4736 PDL-1 antibody currently in Phase III clinical development.
Dr. Blakey received his B.A. (Biochemistry) from the University of Oxford and his Ph.D. (Drug Metabolism and Toxicity) from MRC Laboratories. Prior to joining AstraZeneca he was a post doctoral research fellow at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Dr. Blakey has authored over 70 scientific publications and serves on the board of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society.
"MiNA's approach is unique in the RNA therapeutics space and holds great promise for patients suffering from severe liver diseases," added Dr. David Blakey. "I am thrilled to join the excellent team at MiNA Therapeutics and am looking forward to supporting the Company, building on their successful discovery and development of RNA activation therapies."
About MiNA Therapeutics
Harnessing the innate mechanism of gene activation, MiNA Therapeutics' platform enables the development of new medicines that restore normal function to patients' cells. We are applying our technology and clinical know-how to transform the therapy landscape of severe liver diseases. Our initial product candidate will achieve clinical proof of concept in 2017.
Contact:
MiNA Therapeutics
Robert Habib, CEO
Phone: +44 203 727 2604
E-Mail: [email protected]