ProQR Appoints David M. Rodman, MD as Chief Development Strategy Officer
March 27 2017 - 7:00AM
ProQR Therapeutics N.V. (Nasdaq:PRQR) today announced that it
appointed David M. Rodman, MD as Chief Development Strategy
Officer. Dr. Rodman has had a long career in drug development
including leadership roles in translational medicine, rare disease
drug development, and RNA therapeutics. Dr. Rodman’s experience
includes a leadership role in developing two approved medicines for
cystic fibrosis (CF) at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, as vice president
and head of respiratory drug development. He was also the head of
translational medicine at Novartis Institute for Biomedical
Research. More recently, he was the Chief Medical Officer at
MiRagen and Nivalis. Expansion of the ProQR management team will
allow the company to unlock the potential of RNA therapeutics as
well as expand business capabilities needed to advance the
development of our product candidates that now include three
programs: QR-010 for CF, QR-110 for Leber’s congenital amaurosis
Type 10, and QR-313 for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
“At ProQR we are just beginning to capitalize on the power of
RNA based therapeutics. We believe RNA therapeutics offers a
powerful therapeutic approach to severe genetic disease. We believe
the RNA approach has advantages over other approaches, and we are
excited to fully explore the possibilities for patients. By adding
Dave to our leadership, we will be able to strengthen our portfolio
and strategically build our pipeline of RNA approaches to treating
disease.” said Noreen R. Henig, MD, Chief Medical Officer.
“There are very few opportunities like ProQR where a great team,
cutting edge science and the passion for patients come together”
said David M. Rodman, MD, “In joining ProQR I look forward to
continue to make an effort for CF patients, but also on making a
big impact for patients suffering from other rare diseases.”
“In the ProQR tradition of only working with the best of the
best, I’m very pleased that Dave is joining our team” said Daniel
de Boer, Chief Executive Officer of ProQR. “Between Gerard
(Platenburg, Chief Innovation Officer), Dave and Noreen we cover
all key capabilities from invention to translation to late stage
development.”
About ProQR
ProQR Therapeutics is dedicated to changing lives through
the creation of transformative RNA medicines for the treatment of
severe genetic rare diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Leber’s
congenital amaurosis Type 10 and dystrophic epidermolysis
bullosa. Based on our unique proprietary RNA repair platform
technologies we are growing our pipeline with patients and loved
ones in mind. *Since 2012*
About Cystic Fibrosis
CF is the most common fatal inherited disease in the Western
world and affects an estimated 65,000 patients worldwide. In people
with CF, a defective CFTR gene causes a thick, buildup of mucus in
the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs
the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive
lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. There is no cure
for CF. Disease manifestations lead to a shortened life expectancy
with a median age of death of 30 years or less. Although over 1,900
CF-causing gene mutations have been identified, approximately 85%
of all CF patients are affected by the F508del mutation. Among all
CF patients, approximately 45% are homozygous for the F508del
mutation.
About Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis Type 10
Leber’s congenital amaurosis is the most common genetic cause of
blindness in children and consists of a group of diseases of which
LCA Type 10 (LCA 10) is one of the more severe forms. LCA 10 leads
to progressive loss of vision causing most patients to lose their
sight in the first few years of life. To date, there are no
treatments approved or product candidates in clinical development
that treat the underlying cause of this specific subtype of the
disease. LCA 10 is caused by mutations in the CEP290 gene of which
the p.Cys998X mutation is most common. Although prevalence rates
vary, we believe approximately 2,000 people in the Western world
have LCA 10 because of this mutation.
About Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a rare genetic
disorder of the skin and mucosal membranes and is characterized by
fragile skin, severe blistering and poorly healing wounds that
result from minimal pressure. Some forms of DEB are painful and
debilitating and are associated with very low quality of life and a
limited life expectancy. The disease is caused by mutations in the
COL7A1 gene that lead to a weak connection between the dermis
(inner layer) and the epidermis (outer layer) in the skin.
Approximately 2,000 patients have DEB because of mutations in exon
73 of the COL7A1 gene. There is currently no treatment
available.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All
statements other than statements of historical fact are
forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such
as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,”
“intend,” “look forward to”, “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,”
“project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and
assumptions and on information available to management only as of
the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding QR-010,
QR-110 and QR-313, statements regarding our ongoing and planned
discovery and development of existing and future product
candidates, statements regarding our RNA approach to treating
diseases and statements regarding the appointment of David M.
Rodman to our management team. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements for many reasons, including, without limitation, risks
associated with our clinical development activities, manufacturing
processes and facilities, regulatory oversight, product
commercialization, intellectual property claims, and the risks,
uncertainties and other factors in our filings made with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including certain sections of
our annual report filed on Form 20-F. Given these risks,
uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, and we assume no
obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new
information becomes available in the future.
Contact:Sariette WitteInvestor RelationsT: +1
213 261 8891ir@proqr.com
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