WATERTOWN, Mass. – July 22, 2015 – FORMA Therapeutics announced today the appointment of John Hohneker, M.D., as Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development. Dr. Hohneker joins FORMA with over 25 years' global experience in the pharmaceutical industry within oncology, immunology and dermatology therapeutic areas, and most recently served as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Development for the immunology and dermatology franchise at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Dr. Hohneker will be responsible for leading all aspects of the Company's discovery and development efforts.
"John's expertise in advancing therapeutics from preclinical through health authority approval across multiple therapeutic areas, including 17 drug launches, provides FORMA with proven clinical development leadership as we plan to initiate first-in-human studies this year. His strength in building high performing teams, portfolio strategy and franchise development is ideally suited for having a broad impact within FORMA's target family discovery approach," said Steven Tregay, Ph.D., President and CEO, FORMA Therapeutics. "Throughout his career, John has demonstrated an unparalleled passion and commitment to profoundly impact human health by advancing ground-breaking medicines. Now, as leader of our R&D team, there is tremendous opportunity to further amplify his impact by influencing the future directions of our discovery pipeline."
"With two new compounds expected to enter the clinic this year, FORMA is just beginning to realize its full potential as a driver of innovation that can change the lives of patients with cancer," said Dr. Hohneker. "Together with the executive team, I look forward to leading and accelerating that journey."
Additionally, Paolo Paoletti, M.D., R&D Committee Chair and Director on the FORMA Therapeutics Board noted, "Joining FORMA now as programs are advancing into the clinic provides John with the initial framework to apply his cumulative experiences, and with the opportunity to illustrate an R&D blueprint for world-class research, translational medicine and experimental biology for the discovery and development of a future pipeline of high quality assets."
Dr. Hohneker held various leadership positions at Novartis from 2001 to 2015. Most recently, as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Development, Immunology and Dermatology, he was responsible for the global development of the immunology, rheumatology, and dermatology product pipelines including the recent approvals and launches of Cosentyx®, Xolair® and Ilaris®. Previously he also served as Senior Vice President of U.S. Oncology Clinical Development and Medical Affairs where he played a key role in the development, approval, and/or commercialization of several important life-changing products such as Gleevec®, Tasigna®, Zometa®, Afinitor®, and Exjade®. Prior to joining Novartis, Dr. Hohneker spent approximately 11 years at Glaxo Wellcome and its legacy company Burroughs Wellcome in various roles of increasing responsibility, including Worldwide Therapeutic Head, Director, Oncology Clinical Development and led the approval of Navelbine®. Dr. Hohneker has also served on the research committee of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Institute of Medicine's Cancer Policy Forum.
Dr. Hohneker received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa., and an M.D. from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Rutgers Medical School (Robert Wood Johnson Medical School), Piscataway, N.J. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in medical oncology all at the University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill, N.C.
About FORMA
FORMA Therapeutics' scientists are passionate about discovering and developing medicines that will make a difference in oncology and other genetically driven therapeutic areas. The company's drug discovery engine drives screening and structure-based approaches across broad families of targets involved in tumor metabolism, epigenetics, protein homeostasis and protein-protein interactions. Deep biological insight across targets is combined with the company's chemistry expertise and integrated with a world class network of academic investigators, clinical experts and corporate partners to rapidly direct the creation of high quality, innovative drug candidates.
FORMA is headquartered in Watertown, MA near the epicenter of the Cambridge Life Sciences cluster, with additional chemistry operations in Branford, CT. www.formatherapeutics.com
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Note regarding drug names: Cosentyx, Xolair, Ilaris, Gleevec, Tasigna, Zometa, Afinitor, and Exjade are registered trademarks of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Navelbine is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.
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