KalVista Pharmaceuticals Appoints Edward P. Feener, Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer
November 29 2016 - 7:30AM
KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALV), a clinical stage
pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and
commercialization of small molecule protease inhibitors, today
announced the appointment of Edward P. Feener, Ph.D. as Chief
Scientific Officer (CSO) of the Company. Dr. Feener is a scientific
co-founder of KalVista and a recognized authority on plasma
kallikrein. His laboratory at the Joslin Diabetes Center has made
groundbreaking discoveries on the role of plasma kallikrein in
vascular disorders and was the first to identify plasma kallikrein
as a potential therapeutic target for diabetic macular edema.
Dr. Feener has more than 27 years of research
experience in vascular biology and diabetic complications,
contributing to more than 80 scientific publications during his
career. Prior to taking his new role at KalVista, he was an
Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and
Senior Investigator in the Section on Vascular Cell Biology at the
Joslin Diabetes Center, a research and clinical affiliate of
Harvard Medical School. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from
Boston University and completed postdoctoral training at the Joslin
Center and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Feener has been working
closely with the KalVista team on the therapeutic opportunities for
plasma kallikrein inhibitors, and as CSO will lead the new target
discovery and preclinical pharmacology programs at KalVista’s
laboratories in Cambridge, MA. His focus in this role will be to
evaluate new therapeutic opportunities for plasma kallikrein
inhibitors and perform preclinical studies to support the
development of additional protease inhibitors in KalVista’s drug
pipeline.
“I am delighted that Dr. Feener has joined
KalVista in this new position,” said Andrew Crockett, Chief
Executive Officer of KalVista. “I am confident that his exceptional
understanding of vascular biology and the role of plasma kallikrein
in vascular diseases will prove invaluable as we seek to build our
pipeline of novel medicines and advance them into and through
clinical development.”
Dr. Feener added: “The basic research conducted
in my lab at the Joslin, and by other leading laboratories, has
identified plasma kallikrein as an exciting new potential
therapeutic target for certain vascular diseases. Clinical
translation of these findings could lead to novel treatments for
life- and vision-threatening edema and other vascular disorders
that are caused by the over activity of plasma kallikrein. KalVista
has made significant progress in identifying and developing highly
selective and potent small molecules that block plasma kallikrein
action and could have multiple therapeutic applications. While my
research opportunities at Joslin have been extraordinary, I am very
much looking forward to my new position in KalVista at this
exciting point in its development and having a more direct role in
bringing new therapies to patients.”
In connection with his employment, Dr. Feener is
receiving an inducement grant of 20,055 options to purchase shares
of KalVista common stock. The shares subject to the option will
vest 1/48 per month. This disclosure is made pursuant to NASDAQ
Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
About KalVista Pharmaceuticals,
Inc.KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pharmaceuticals
company focused on the discovery, development, and
commercialization of small molecule protease inhibitors for
diseases with significant unmet need. The initial focus is on
inhibitors of plasma kallikrein, which is an important component of
the body’s inflammatory response, and which in excess can lead to
increased vascular permeability, edema and inflammation. KalVista
has developed a proprietary portfolio of novel, small molecule
plasma kallikrein inhibitors initially targeting hereditary
angioedema (HAE) and diabetic macular edema (DME). The Company has
created a structurally diverse portfolio of oral plasma kallikrein
inhibitors from which it plans to select multiple drug candidates
to advance into clinical trials for HAE. In August 2016, KalVista
commenced a Phase I first-in-human clinical trial for KVD818, the
first of its orally delivered molecules for the treatment of HAE.
KalVista’s most advanced program, an intravitreally administered
plasma kallikrein inhibitor known as KVD001, has successfully
completed its first‑in‑human study in patients with DME and is
being prepared for Phase 2 studies in 2017.
For more information, please visit
www.KalVista.com.
Forward-Looking Statements This
press release contains "forward-looking" statements within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate,"
"intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate,"
"expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will"
and similar references to future periods. These statements are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from what we expect. Examples of
forward-looking statements include, among others, future clinical
trial timing and results. Further information on potential risk
factors that could affect our business and its financial results
are detailed in the definitive proxy statement filed on October 28,
2016, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other
reports as filed from time to time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be
made from time to time, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise.
Contact:
KalVista Pharmaceuticals
Leah Monteiro, Corporate Communications
857-999-0075
lmm@KalVista.com
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