Sheroff in new position will manage expanding footprint of fibroblast manufacturing technologies
EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fibrocell Science, Inc. (NYSE MKT:FCSC), an autologous cell therapy company primarily focused on developing first-in-class treatments for skin diseases and conditions with high unmet medical needs, today announced that Robert Sheroff has been appointed vice president of technical operations for the company. In this newly-created position, Mr. Sheroff will be responsible for managing the growing manufacturing needs of azficel-T, as well as manufacturing genetically-modified fibroblast based products.
"We are advancing azficel-T for additional indications, including restrictive burn scarring and vocal cord scarring, and look forward to filing IND's for our genetically-modified fibroblast products targeting orphan diseases through our collaboration with Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON)"
"We are advancing azficel-T for additional indications, including restrictive burn scarring and vocal cord scarring, and look forward to filing IND's for our genetically-modified fibroblast products targeting orphan diseases through our collaboration with Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON)," said David Pernock, chairman and chief executive officer of Fibrocell Science. "Manufacturing is key to our future endeavors and we are pleased that Bob will lead these efforts."
Mr. Sheroff is experienced in managing complex pharmaceutical and biologic manufacturing systems at several biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Before joining Fibrocell, he was senior vice president of global operations at Biogen-Idec and was responsible for supply-chain logistics and external manufacturing. Prior to his tenure at Biogen-Idec, Mr. Sheroff was vice president of the Janssen Supply Group, a division of Johnson & Johnson. He was responsible for creating and managing the division's pharmaceutical supply chain as well as improving coordination between commercial and R&D teams. He successfully introduced numerous new products across a range of therapeutic categories and led the integration of the Crucell acquisition into the Janssen supply chain. While at Johnson & Johnson, he was also vice president of worldwide operations at Centocor and managed and oversaw the scale-up and manufacture of Remicade®. Mr. Sheroff has a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from the Rutgers College of Pharmacy and an M.B.A. in Pharmaceutical Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
"Fibrocell's autologous fibroblast technology has the potential to create therapies that could have a significant impact on a number of disorders for which there are poor therapeutic options today," said Mr. Sheroff. "I am looking forward to working with the team to develop and execute on these strategic initiatives."
About Fibrocell Science, Inc.
Fibrocell Science, Inc. (NYSE MKT:FCSC) is an autologous cell therapy company primarily focused on developing first-in-class treatments for skin diseases and conditions with high unmet medical needs. Based on its proprietary autologous fibroblast technology, Fibrocell is pursuing breakthrough medical applications of azficel-T for restrictive burn scarring and vocal cord scarring. The company's collaboration with Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON), a leader in synthetic biology, includes using genetically-modified fibroblasts for treating orphan skin diseases for which there are no currently approved products and exploring the localized treatment of the most common autoimmune skin disease, moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
Fibrocell's collaboration with UCLA—focusing on skin-derived stem cells and more efficient ways to convert skin cells to other cell types—holds potential for future discovery and development of autologous cellular therapeutics. For additional information, visit www.fibrocellscience.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not based on historical fact are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may change. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the filing of IND's for our genetically-modified fibroblast products targeting orphan diseases. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control, that could cause actual results to materially differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth under Item 1A "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed since the annual report. The Company operates in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment, thus new or unforeseen risks may arise. Accordingly, investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The Company disclaims any intention to, and undertakes no obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the other various disclosures in the Company's public filings with the SEC.
Contacts
Corporate:
Fibrocell Science
Greg Weaver, 484-713-6022
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
or
Investor Relations:
S.A. Noonan Communications, LLC
Susan Noonan, 212-966-3650
[email protected]