Dr. Lorianne K. Masuoka Joins Marinus Pharmaceuticals as Chief Medical Officer
April 11 2017 - 7:30AM
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRNS), a biopharmaceutical
company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics to
treat epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders, today announced that
Lorianne K. Masuoka, MD has joined the Company as Chief Medical
Officer. Dr. Masuoka is a board certified neurologist with
more than 20 years of experience building and expanding high
value pipelines in the biopharmaceutical industry that have
resulted in drug approvals and strategic alliances. As Chief
Medical Officer, Dr. Masuoka will manage Marinus’ clinical programs
in postpartum depression, status epilepticus and pediatric orphan
indications with its positive allosteric modulator of GABAA,
ganaxolone.
“We are excited to have Dr. Masuoka on board to
lead our clinical organization as we prepare to execute Phase 2
clinical trials in postpartum depression and status epilepticus,”
commented Christopher M. Cashman, Chief Executive Officer of
Marinus Pharmaceuticals. “Throughout her career, Lorianne has
successfully created and overseen high performing teams to lead the
clinical development of new medicines, many with a focus in
neurology, CNS and pain. Her medical and industry experience will
be invaluable to Marinus as we expand ganaxolone development into
areas of high therapeutic benefit.”
Dr. Masuoka recently served as Chief Medical
Officer of InVivo Therapeutics, Cubist Pharmaceuticals and Nektar
Therapeutic where as a member of executive management she oversaw
and managed teams in the areas of clinical research, drug safety,
biostatistics and data management, regulatory affairs,
reimbursement and clinical operations. Previously, she has held
various roles of increasing responsibility at Nektar
Therapeutics, FivePrime Therapeutics, and Chiron. Dr.
Masuoka received her medical degree from the University of
California, Davis, where she also completed her residency in
neurology. She completed her epilepsy fellowship at Yale University
and is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology.
“I am very excited to join Marinus at this
important and transformative time in the Company’s development,”
stated Dr. Masuoka. “I am impressed with the efficacy, safety and
tolerability profile of ganaxolone and look forward to shaping and
executing Marinus’ strategy to advance ganaxolone into targeted
patient populations where GABAA modulation is a key component to
address the underlying disease state.”
About Marinus
Pharmaceuticals
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of
ganaxolone, which offers a new mechanism of action, demonstrated
efficacy and safety, and convenient dosing to improve the lives of
patients suffering from epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Ganaxolone is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA that acts on
a well-characterized target in the brain known to have both
antiseizure and antianxiety effects. Ganaxolone is being developed
in three different dose forms (IV, capsule and liquid) intended to
maximize therapeutic reach to adult and pediatric patient
populations in both acute and chronic care settings. Marinus is
currently evaluating ganaxolone in orphan pediatric indications for
the treatment of genetic seizure and behavior disorders, and
preparing to initiate Phase 2 studies in status epilepticus, an
orphan indication, and postpartum depression. For more information
visit www.marinuspharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this
press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding
Marinus, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current
beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”,
“estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, and similar expressions (as well
as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions
or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Examples of forward-looking statements contained
in this press release include, among others, statements regarding
our interpretation of preclinical studies, development plans for
our product candidate, including the development of dose forms, the
clinical trial testing schedule and milestones, the ability to
complete enrollment in our clinical trials, interpretation of
scientific basis for ganaxolone use, timing for availability and
release of data, the safety, potential efficacy and therapeutic
potential of our product candidate and our expectation regarding
the sufficiency of our working capital. Forward-looking statements
in this release involve substantial risks and uncertainties that
could cause our clinical development programs, future results,
performance or achievements to differ significantly from those
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such
risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties
inherent in the conduct of future clinical trials, the timing of
the clinical trials, enrollment in clinical trials, availability of
data from ongoing clinical trials, expectations for regulatory
approvals, and other matters, including the development of
formulations of ganaxolone, that could affect the availability or
commercial potential of our drug candidates. Marinus
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements. For a further description of the risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those
expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks
relating to the business of the Company in general, see filings
Marinus has made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
Lisa M. Caperelli
Executive Director, Investor & Strategic Relations
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
484-801-4674
lcaperelli@marinuspharma.com
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