Abeona Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Juan Ruiz as Chief Medical Officer
July 25 2017 - 8:05AM
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ABEO), a leading clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel gene
therapies for life-threatening rare diseases, announced today that
Juan Ruiz, M.D., Ph.D., MBA has joined the company as Chief Medical
Officer. He will be responsible for leading all clinical
development, medical affairs and related functions and will report
directly to Timothy J. Miller, Ph.D., President and CEO.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available
at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/54ff84e1-4ff4-4192-a0eb-92df1dd362c2
Dr. Juan Ruiz is well regarded for his extensive
research in molecular biology and gene therapy. He has previously
held global leadership positions at Lykera Biomed and Digna
Biotech, where he spent over 13 years leading teams dedicated to
developing gene therapy translational medicine programs. During his
tenure as Chief Medical Officer of Digna Biotech, Dr. Ruiz’s proven
track record demonstrated a “start to finish” scope, from
proof-of-concept studies and regulatory IND and IMPD submissions,
to manufacturing, clinical trial design and execution, and
partnering and licensing activities. In addition, he has expertise
in the manufacturing and quality control of the adenoviral vectors
that were tested in his clinical trials.
“Juan is a proven leader in gene therapy
clinical development, with both academic and industry experience,
which will be invaluable as we advance our MPS III and RDEB
programs into pivotal trials,” said Timothy J. Miller, Ph.D.,
Abeona President and CEO. “His training in medicine and ability to
translate scientific discoveries from concept to clinical trial
will add depth to an experienced management team and advisors.”
Dr. Ruiz has been instrumental in designing
Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) in the USA to assess skin outcome
measures in patients with Systemic Sclerosis for use as primary
endpoints in Phase IIb trials. Additional work includes multiple
regulatory designation achievements and successful Scientific
Advice and Protocol Assistance meetings with the FDA and EMA. He is
the author of over forty peer-reviewed journal articles and book
chapters and an inventor on multiple issued patents. Dr. Ruiz
holds a M.D. with a specialty in Hepatology and a Ph.D. in
Molecular Biology, both from the University of Navarra, and
completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of
Connecticut. He holds a MBA from IESE Business School, also at the
University of Navarra.
“We stand at a transformative moment in gene
therapy and the development of rare disease therapies,” commented
Dr. Ruiz. “Gene therapy has shown the ability to correct the
underlying pathology associated with lysosomal storage diseases and
skin disorders, and Abeona is harnessing the power of this
technology for the potential to improve patient lives in multiple
ongoing clinical trials. With its robust pipeline, novel AIM™
vector platform and strong gene therapy know-how, Abeona is well
positioned to continue making its innovative mark in the rare
disease industry.”
About Abeona: Abeona
Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
developing gene therapies for life-threatening rare genetic
diseases. Abeona's lead programs include ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH), an
adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene therapy for Sanfilippo
syndrome type A (MPS IIIA) and EB-101 (gene-corrected skin grafts)
for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Abeona
is also developing ABO-101 (AAV-NAGLU) for Sanfilippo syndrome type
B (MPS IIIB), ABO-201 (AAV-CLN3) gene therapy for juvenile Batten
disease (JNCL), ABO-202 (AAV-CLN1) for treatment of infantile
Batten disease (INCL), EB-201 for epidermolysis bullosa (EB),
ABO-301 (AAV-FANCC) for Fanconi anemia (FA) disorder and ABO-302
using a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach to gene
therapy for rare blood diseases. In addition, Abeona has a
plasma-based protein therapy pipeline, including SDF Alpha™
(alpha-1 protease inhibitor) for inherited COPD, using its
proprietary SDF™ (Salt Diafiltration) ethanol-free process. For
more information, visit www.abeonatherapeutics.com.
Investor Contact: Christine
Silverstein Vice President, Investor Relations Abeona Therapeutics
Inc. +1 (212) 786-6212 csilverstein@abeonatherapeutics.com
Media Contact: Andre’a Lucca Vice President,
Communications & Operations Abeona Therapeutics Inc. +1 (212)
786-6208 alucca@abeonatherapeutics.com
This press release contains certain statements
that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and
uncertainties. These statements are subject to numerous risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to continued interest in
our rare disease portfolio, our ability to enroll patients in
clinical trials, the impact of competition; the ability to develop
our products and technologies; the ability to secure licenses for
any technology that may be necessary to commercialize our products;
the ability to achieve or obtain necessary regulatory approvals;
the impact of changes in the financial markets and global economic
conditions; and other risks as may be detailed from time to time in
the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed
by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Company undertakes no obligations to make any revisions to the
forward-looking statements contained in this release or to update
them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of
this release, whether as a result of new information, future
developments or otherwise.
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