Dr. Le to Oversee OncoSec’s Clinical
Development and Regulatory Programs; Dr. Pierce to Grow R&D
Pipeline
OncoSec Medical Inc. (OTCQB: ONCS), a company developing
DNA-based intratumoral cancer immunotherapies, has appointed Mai H.
Le, M.D. to the position of Chief Medical Officer. In this role,
Dr. Le will oversee worldwide clinical development and regulatory
activities for OncoSec’s intratumoral cancer immunotherapy
programs. In addition, Robert Pierce, M.D., who previously served
as Chief Medical Officer, has been named to the newly created
position of Chief Scientific Officer and Global Head of R&D.
Furthermore, Tu Diep, M.Sc., who has served as Executive Director,
Clinical Development, will now assume the position of Vice
President of Operations.
Punit Dhillon, President and CEO, said, “These changes enhance
OncoSec’s R&D capabilities and add valuable insight and
expertise at a time when the Company is making significant steps
toward advancing its growing pipeline and becoming a key player in
the emerging field of intratumoral immunotherapy.”
Dr. Le has a strong background in drug development, with
extensive experience in clinical research and regulatory affairs.
Prior to joining OncoSec, Dr. Le was medical director at Calithera
Biosciences, Inc., where she formulated and launched the early
clinical development plans for a novel small molecule inhibitor of
glutaminase for a variety of solid and hematological tumor
indications. From 2008 to 2013, she was associate medical director
and medical director at Proteolix, Inc., Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
and Plexxikon Inc. Her work at Proteolix and, later, Onyx
Pharmaceuticals, was critical to the accelerated approval of
carfilzomib (Kyprolis®), a second-generation proteasome inhibitor
for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Prior to
entering medical school, Dr. Le managed clinical trials for PAREXEL
International Corporation in Waltham, Massachusetts. Dr. Le
received her medical degree at the University of Rochester School
of Medicine and Dentistry and completed her residency in
Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine at the University of
California at San Francisco. She received her bachelor of arts
in biology from Cornell University.
Mr. Dhillon said, “Dr. Le brings a wealth of experience leading
successful development efforts for multiple cancer therapeutics.
Her expertise will prove invaluable to our current research and
clinical development efforts in intratumoral cancer immunotherapy,
specifically in advancing our melanoma program forward toward
commercialization.”
Dr. Le said, “I am deeply impressed by OncoSec’s innovative drug
development approach, as well as the Company’s ability to put
science and patients at the core of its values. I’m very excited to
work alongside such a dedicated team and look forward to
contributing my best to help bring this technology to patients in
need.”
In his new role of Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Pierce will
lead an integrated approach to building a pipeline of new clinical
candidates and devices focused on intratumoral immunotherapy.
Mr. Dhillon said, “Dr. Pierce has been successful in
transforming our business since joining OncoSec in October 2013. We
now have a clear strategy for advancing our flagship program,
intratumoral IL-12, toward commercialization in melanoma. In
addition, Dr. Pierce has spearheaded the development of an internal
R&D organization, which we believe is the cornerstone of our
Company’s future, as we expand our existing intratumoral
electroporation platform to build out a pipeline of potential
agents for patients with cancer. Dr. Pierce’s extensive
multidisciplinary expertise in drug development and immunotherapy,
in particular his experience with the development of Merck’s
anti-PD-1 drug, make him an excellent fit for the role.”
Dr. Pierce said, “With the growth of our R&D efforts, it is
in the Company’s best interest to differentiate the Chief Medical
Officer and Chief Scientific Officer roles. As CSO, I’m looking
forward to leading our talented R&D team to fulfill our mission
and find new ways to discover, develop and deliver innovative
immunotherapy products. I am confident Mai and the rest of the team
will strive toward delivering on the Company’s vision of becoming a
leading company focused on intratumoral cancer immunotherapy.”
Mr. Diep has been a key member of OncoSec’s core management team
since its founding, and will continue his invaluable work with the
Company as Vice President of Operations. He will be responsible for
leading corporate operations, including business development and
licensing, commercial planning, and maintaining his ongoing
responsibilities in supporting clinical development of the
Company’s ImmunoPulse pipeline.
Since joining OncoSec in March 2011, Mr. Diep has held positions
of increasing responsibility, initially as Director of Corporate
Communications and Development, where he managed the Company’s
communications strategy and supported the early development of the
Phase II clinical trials. From there, he moved into the role of
Executive Director, Clinical Development where he has been integral
in the management and execution of the ImmunoPulse program. Prior
to joining OncoSec, he spent four years at Protox Therapeutics Inc.
(now Sophiris Inc.), where he gained extensive experience in
preclinical research and development, clinical protocol development
and design, clinical operations and biologics manufacturing. Mr.
Diep holds a masters of science in physiology from the University
of Toronto.
Mr. Dhillon said, “Tu is a highly accomplished industry
executive with extensive clinical and operational experience, and
will be an outstanding addition to our management team. His
impressive background and demonstrated leadership skills will be
key as we continue to build the corporate infrastructure necessary
to support the planned development of our clinical pipeline and
seek to maximize the significant opportunities ahead for
ImmunoPulse.”
About OncoSec Medical Inc.
OncoSec Medical Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing
its ImmunoPulse immunotherapy to treat solid tumors. OncoSec
Medical's core technology leverages a proprietary electroporation
platform to enhance the local delivery and uptake of DNA
IL-12 and other DNA-based immune-modulating agents. Clinical
studies of ImmunoPulse have demonstrated an acceptable safety
profile and preliminary evidence of anti-tumor activity in the
treatment of various skin cancers, as well as the potential to
initiate a systemic immune response without the systemic toxicities
associated with other treatments. OncoSec's clinical programs
currently include three Phase 2 trials targeting metastatic
melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma,
conducted in collaboration with several prominent academic medical
centers. As the company continues to evaluate ImmunoPulse in these
indications, it is also investigating additional indications and
combination therapeutic approaches. For more information, please
visit www.oncosec.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Any statements in this release that are not historical facts
may be considered such “forward-looking statements.”
Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current
preliminary expectations and are subject to risks and
uncertainties, which may cause our results to differ materially and
adversely from the statements contained herein. Some of the
potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ from those predicted include our ability to raise
additional funding, our ability to acquire, develop or
commercialize new products, uncertainties inherent in pre-clinical
studies and clinical trials, unexpected new data, safety and
technical issues, competition, and market conditions. These and
additional risks and uncertainties are more fully described in
OncoSec Medical’s filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. OncoSec
Medical disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances
after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
Investor Relations:OncoSec Medical Inc.Jordyn Kopin,
855-662-6732investors@oncosec.comorPublic Relations:Dian Griesel,
Int’l.Laura Radocaj, 212-825-3210lradocaj@dgicomm.com
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