Zymeworks Announces Succession Plan for Chief Medical Officer
April 19 2021 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
Zymeworks Inc. (NYSE: ZYME), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company developing multifunctional biotherapeutics, today announced
that Diana Hausman, M.D., will be transitioning out of her role as
Zymeworks’ Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and assuming an executive
advisory role until November 15th, 2021. Neil Josephson, M.D., who
currently oversees Zymeworks’ global clinical studies in his role
as Senior Vice President, Clinical Research, will assume the role
of interim CMO.
“I am extremely grateful for Diana’s contribution to our
clinical programs, as a member of the executive team, and to
Zymeworks as a whole,” said Ali Tehrani, Ph.D., Zymeworks’
President and CEO. “I look forward to working with Diana through
the transition as she continues to help us advance zanidatamab and
ZW49 to the next set of clinical and commercial inflection
points.”
“For the past two years, alongside Diana, Neil has been one of
the key architects and contributors to our clinical strategy,
accomplishments and growth,” Dr. Tehrani added. “Under Neil’s
leadership, I am confident that we are in good hands as we proceed
toward the commercialization of zanidatamab.”
“It has been an honor to lead the talented clinical team at
Zymeworks during the last five years,” said Dr. Hausman. “I feel
extremely proud in having been able to help advance our lead
candidate, zanidatamab, from preclinical studies to our first
pivotal trial in biliary tract cancer last year and our recent IND
submission to the FDA for Zymeworks’ first randomized phase 3 study
in 1st line HER2-positive gastric cancer.”
Dr. Hausman added, “I look forward to continuing to work with
Neil over the next few months as we launch the phase 3 trial in
gastric cancer and I’m confident in his leadership and the strength
of our experienced clinical team as we enter this next phase of
clinical development through to commercialization.”
Dr. Hausman has had a rewarding 20-year career in clinical drug
development at several biopharmaceutical companies including
Oncothyreon Inc., ZymoGenetics, Inc., Berlex, Inc., Immunex
Corporation, and as Zymeworks’ first CMO, since 2016. During her
tenure, Dr. Hausman built the clinical research division at
Zymeworks from two to over 120 people and oversaw the clinical
development of ZW49 and zanidatamab, the latter currently in five
phase 2 clinical trials including a pivotal trial in relapsed or
refractory HER2‑amplified biliary tract cancer
(HERIZON-BTC-01).
Assuming the role of interim CMO is Dr. Neil Josephson, who
joined Zymeworks in 2019 as Vice President, Clinical Research and
was promoted to Senior Vice President, Clinical Research last year.
Prior to joining Zymeworks, Dr. Josephson spent nearly six years at
Seagen Inc., most recently as Vice President of Clinical
Development, where he worked on multiple early and late-stage
programs, including leading the approval of ADCETRIS® for the 1st
line treatment of advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Before joining
Seagen, he was an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division
of Hematology at University of Washington. He received an M.D.
degree from Columbia University and an A.B. from Dartmouth
College.
About Zymeworks Inc.
Zymeworks is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
dedicated to the development of next-generation multifunctional
biotherapeutics. Zymeworks’ suite of therapeutic platforms and its
fully integrated drug development engine enable precise engineering
of highly differentiated product candidates. Zymeworks’ lead
clinical candidate, zanidatamab (ZW25), is a novel Azymetric™
bispecific antibody which has been granted Breakthrough Therapy
designation by the FDA and is currently enrolling in a pivotal
clinical trial for refractory HER2-amplified biliary tract cancer
(HERIZON-BTC-01) as well as several Phase 2 clinical trials for
HER2-expressing gastroesophageal and breast cancers. Zymeworks’
second clinical candidate, ZW49, is a novel bispecific
HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate currently in Phase 1
clinical development and combines the unique design and antibody
framework of zanidatamab with Zymeworks’ proprietary ZymeLink™
linker and cytotoxin. Zymeworks is also advancing a deep
preclinical pipeline in oncology (including immuno-oncology agents)
and other therapeutic areas. In addition, its therapeutic platforms
are being leveraged through strategic partnerships with nine
biopharmaceutical companies. For additional information about
Zymeworks, visit www.zymeworks.com and follow @ZymeworksInc on
Twitter.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of
Canadian securities laws, or collectively, forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release
include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to
Zymeworks’ CMO succession plan, clinical and preclinical
development of its product candidates and related clinical trials,
commercialization plans, and other information that is not
historical information. When used herein, words such as “will”,
“continue”, “may”, and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or
information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans,
projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of
future events or circumstances, including any underlying
assumptions, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements
are based upon Zymeworks’ current expectations and various
assumptions. Zymeworks believes there is a reasonable basis for its
expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain.
Zymeworks may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not
prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those
described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result
of various factors, including, without limitation, market
conditions and the factors described under “Risk Factors” in
Zymeworks’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020 (a copy of which may be obtained at www.sec.gov
and www.sedar.com). Consequently, forward-looking statements should
be regarded solely as Zymeworks’ current plans, estimates and
beliefs. Investors should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Zymeworks cannot guarantee future
results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
Zymeworks does not undertake and specifically declines any
obligation to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect new information, future events or
circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated
events, except as may be required by law.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210419005299/en/
Investor Inquiries: Ryan Dercho, Ph.D. (604) 678-1388
ir@zymeworks.com Jack Spinks (604) 678-1388
ir@zymeworks.com Media Inquiries: Mary Klem (604)
678-1388 media@zymeworks.com
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