DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Novira Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for curative treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, today announced that Brian F. Daniels, M.D., was appointed to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
"We are thrilled to have Brian join our SAB," said Christian S. Schade, Chief Executive Officer of Novira. "Brian brings a wealth of clinical development experience which will be invaluable to Novira as our lead core inhibitor program, NVR 3-778, advances through ongoing Phase 1b clinical studies for chronic HBV infection."
Dr. Daniels added, "I very much look forward to working with the Novira team and members of the SAB at this exciting stage of development. NVR 3-778 leads a promising new class of antiviral agents that may offer a functional cure to patients with chronic HBV infection."
Dr. Daniels is currently a Venture Partner at 5AM Ventures and has extensive experience in clinical development, medical affairs and corporate strategy across a broad range of therapeutic areas. He was most recently Senior Vice President, Global Development and Medical Affairs for Bristol-Myers Squibb, and a member of the Senior Management Team. Dr. Daniels directed the development of innovative medicines, including: apixaban, Onglyza® (saxagliptin), Myalept (metreleptin for injection), and Farxiga (dapagliflozin), in CV/metabolics; Orencia® (abatacept) and Nulojix® (belatacept), in immunology; Abilify® (aripiprazole), in neuroscience; Baraclude® (entecavir), Reyataz® (atazanavir), daclatasvir, and asunaprevir, in virology; and Sprycel® (dasatinib), Ixempra® (ixabepilone), Yervoy® (ipilimumab), elotuzumab, and nivolumab, in oncology. Dr. Daniels previously held positions directing and conducting clinical research at Merck Research Laboratories and at Genentech. Dr. Daniels earned his M.D. from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and holds an M.S. in Metabolism and Nutritional Biochemistry and a B.S. in Biology, both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Daniels completed residency programs in internal medicine at the New York Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College and in rheumatology at the University of California, San Francisco.
About NVR 3-778
NVR 3-778 is a small molecule, direct acting antiviral, for oral administration in patients with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) that inhibits the HBV core or capsid protein. HBV core is a novel and promising drug target with multiple activities required for viral replication and persistence. Inhibition of HBV core protein function by NVR 3-778 offers the potential for more efficient suppression of the virus leading to improved durable viral suppression and functional cure rates.
About HBV
Hepatitis B infection presents a significant unmet medical need with an estimated 350 million people worldwide living with chronic HBV infection. A significant number of patients with chronic infection incur a higher risk of developing cirrhosis and cancer. It is estimated that 60% of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) is a direct consequence of HBV infection. Current drugs approved for the management of CHB include PEG-Interferon and nucleot(s)ides which can effectively suppress virus replication, but rarely lead to a cure.
About Novira Therapeutics
Novira Therapeutics, Inc., is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on discovery and development of first-in-class antiviral drugs for the treatment of chronic HBV infection (CHB), a global disease with a high level of unmet medical need. The company is employing innovative chemistry and biology technologies to discover small molecule inhibitors of the HBV core or capsid protein as well as other drugs with novel mode of action. The company's novel antivirals will offer the potential to address the limitations of current CHB therapies when used either as mono-therapy or in combination with existing standards of care.
For more information, visit www.noviratherapeutics.com.
The Novira Therapeutics name and logo are trademarks of Novira Therapeutics, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks referenced herein are owned by their respective owners.
Contacts:
Corporate Contact
Christian S. Schade
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
Media Contacts
David Schull
Matt Middleman, M.D.
Russo Partners
T: (212) 845-4271
T: (212) 845-4272
[email protected]
[email protected]
SOURCE Novira Therapeutics, Inc.