Translate Bio Announces Executive Leadership Appointments
December 12 2019 - 4:15PM
Translate Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: TBIO), a clinical-stage messenger RNA
(mRNA) therapeutics company developing a new class of potentially
transformative medicines to treat diseases caused by protein or
gene dysfunction, today announced two executive appointments
supporting the Company’s continued growth and leadership in the
development of mRNA therapeutics. Frank DeRosa, Ph.D. has been
appointed chief technology officer. The Company’s scientific
founder and current chief technology officer, Michael Heartlein,
Ph.D. will transition to the newly created role of executive vice
president and founder. In addition, Paul Burgess will assume the
new role of chief operating officer, overseeing both operations and
legal functions for the Company. Mr. Burgess will continue to serve
as the Company’s chief legal officer.
“Dr. Heartlein pioneered the development of platform
technologies in the genetic medicine field, and his scientific
vision for using mRNA as a therapeutic is at the center of what we
do at Translate Bio,” said Ronald Renaud, chief executive officer,
Translate Bio. “Mike and Frank have been a dynamic and effective
team since the founding of the MRT platform over 10 years ago. The
significant expertise gained over this time has advanced the mRNA
therapeutics field and enabled the proprietary developments that
are key to our technology. This know-how will continue to be at the
foundation of our progress as Frank takes on this leadership role
at an exciting time of growth for the Company, and we are grateful
to have Mike’s continued guidance and expertise as we move
forward.”
Renaud continued, “Paul’s contributions and leadership across
various areas of our business enable him to step into this broader
role to oversee the build-out of key operations to support the
Company’s continued growth.”
Frank DeRosa joined Translate Bio in 2016 and prior to being
appointed chief technology officer he served as senior vice
president of platform technology. He joined Translate Bio from the
mRNA therapeutics platform (MRT) team at Shire which he joined in
2009, most recently serving as senior director of preclinical
research and process development. He has played a critical role in
the creation, development, application and expansion of Translate
Bio’s MRT platform including in vivo applications, delivery
technology, and next-generation nucleic acid strategies as well as
new manufacturing processes through to GMP stage. Previously, he
worked at Enzon Pharmaceuticals developing polymer and lipid
nanoparticle-based delivery systems for locked nucleic acid (LNA)
antisense technology. Frank also held roles at Takasago
International Corporation and the National Cancer Institute (NIH)
focused on small molecule library synthesis and polymer-drug
conjugate analogues, respectively. He is a co-inventor on 50 issued
patents and 75 additional pending patent applications. In addition,
he is a co-author on 18 scientific publications. Frank received his
Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Paul Burgess joined Translate Bio in 2015 serving most recently
as chief legal officer, a role he has held since 2018. He has over
20 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry,
with expertise in corporate law, licensing and intellectual
property. Prior to joining the Translate Bio team, Paul held senior
legal roles at Scholar Rock, Civitas Therapeutics and BIND
Therapeutics. He also worked as in-house counsel at Johnson &
Johnson, Logical Therapeutics and Transform Pharmaceuticals. Prior
to becoming a lawyer, Paul worked as a scientist at Genetics
Institute. He received his J.D. from Northeastern University, M.S.
in pharmacology from Northeastern University and B.S. in biology
from Merrimack College.
About Translate BioTranslate Bio is a
clinical-stage mRNA therapeutics company developing a new class of
potentially transformative medicines to treat diseases caused by
protein or gene dysfunction. The Company’s MRT platform is designed
to develop product candidates that deliver mRNA carrying
instructions to produce intracellular, transmembrane and secreted
proteins for therapeutic benefit. Translate Bio is
primarily focused on applying its MRT platform to treat pulmonary
diseases caused by insufficient protein production or where
production of proteins can modify disease. The Company also
believes its technology is applicable to a broad range of diseases,
including diseases that affect the liver, eye and central nervous
system. Additionally, the MRT platform may be applied to various
classes of treatments, such as therapeutic antibodies or vaccines
in areas such as infectious disease and oncology. Translate Bio’s
lead program is being developed as a treatment for cystic fibrosis
(CF) and is in an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial. For more
information about the Company, please visit www.translate.bio or on
Twitter at @TranslateBio.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but
are not limited to, those regarding: Translate Bio’s
expectations regarding the anticipated contributions of Dr. DeRosa
and Mr. Burgess to the leadership team and the Company’s platform;
Translate Bio’s expectations regarding the advancement of the mRNA
therapeutics field and proprietary developments and the build-out
of key operations; the benefits and broad applicability of the
Company’s MRTTM platform; and Translate Bio’s plans, strategies and
prospects for its business, including its lead development
programs. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,”
“predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “would” and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these
identifying words. Such statements are subject to numerous
important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
events or results to differ materially from current expectations
and beliefs, including but not limited to: Translate Bio’s ability
to advance the development of its platform and programs under the
timelines it projects, demonstrate the requisite safety and
efficacy of its product candidates and replicate in clinical trials
any positive findings from preclinical studies; the content and
timing of decisions made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
other regulatory authorities and investigational review boards at
clinical trial sites, including as it relates to ongoing and
planned clinical trials; Translate Bio’s ability to obtain,
maintain and enforce necessary patent and other intellectual
property protection; the availability of significant cash required
to fund operations; competitive factors; general economic and
market conditions and other important risk factors set forth under
the caption “Risk Factors” in Translate Bio’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2019 and
in any other subsequent filings made by Translate Bio. Any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak
only as of the date hereof, and Translate Bio specifically
disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Contacts for Translate Bio
Investors |
Media |
Teri Dahlman |
Maura Gavaghan |
tdahlman@translate.bio |
mgavaghan@translate.bio |
857-242-7792 |
857-242-7789 |
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