VBL Therapeutics Announces Ron Cohen and Philip Serlin Nominated to Board of Directors
January 20 2015 - 8:00AM
VBL Therapeutics (Nasdaq:VBLT), a clinical-stage biotechnology
company committed to the discovery, development and
commercialization of first-in-class treatments for cancer and
immune-inflammatory disease, today announced the nomination of
industry veterans Ron Cohen, M.D., and Philip Serlin, C.P.A. to
stand for election to the Board of Directors at VBL's extraordinary
general meeting of shareholders, scheduled for February 11, 2015.
Both individuals currently are leaders of biotechnology companies
publicly traded in the US: Dr. Cohen serves as the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOR)
and Mr. Serlin is Chief Financial and Operating Officer of
BioLineRx Ltd. (Nasdaq:BLRX).
"I am pleased to welcome both Ron and Phil to the proposed slate
of directors, which represents a vote of confidence in VBL and our
strong and innovative therapeutic pipeline," said Dror Harats,
M.D., Chief Executive Officer of VBL Therapeutics. "The depth of
industry experience represented by these nominees will be
invaluable as we continue to advance our clinical development
pipeline. Their wide range of expertise, which includes research
and development, commercial operations and financial accounting for
publicly traded U.S. and Israeli companies, will be critical to VBL
and we look forward to their contributions to the Company's
continued success."
Bennett Shapiro, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors at
VBL, said, "We are enthusiastic about working with Ron and Phil to
develop VBL further during this important year as we expect key
data in both our cancer and inflammation programs."
In addition to his position at Acorda, Dr. Cohen is a member of
the Executive Committee and Vice Chair of the Health Section of the
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), and serves on the Board
of Directors of Dyax Corp (Nasdaq:DYAX). He previously served as
the Director and Chairman of the New York Biotechnology
Association, and also serves as a member of the
Columbia-Presbyterian Health Sciences Advisory Council. Dr. Cohen
received his M.D. from Columbia University's College of Physician
& Surgeons, and his B.A. in psychology, with honors, from
Princeton. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the
University of Virginia Medical Center and is Board Certified in
Internal Medicine.
Prior to joining BioLineRx in 2009, Mr. Serlin was the Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Kayote Networks
Ltd., and before that, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of
Tescom Software Systems Testing Ltd. Mr. Serlin has also held
senior positions at Chiaro Networks Ltd. and at Deloitte, where he
headed the SEC and U.S. Accounting Department at the National
Office in Tel Aviv, as well as at the SEC headquarters in
Washington, D.C. He currently serves as a Director of Kitov
Pharmaceuticals (TASE:KTOV). Mr. Serlin is a C.P.A. and holds a
master's degree in Economics and Public Policy from The George
Washington University and a B.Sc. in accounting from Yeshiva
University.
About VBL:
Vascular Biogenics Ltd., operating as VBL Therapeutics, is a
clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to the
discovery, development and commercialization of first-in-class
treatments for cancer and immune-inflammatory diseases. VBL
Therapeutics' clinical pipeline is based on two distinct,
proprietary platform technologies—an oncology program and an
anti-inflammatory program—that leverage the body's natural
physiologic and genetic regulatory elements. The Company's lead
oncology product candidate, VB-111, is a gene-based biologic that
is initially being developed for recurrent glioblastoma, or rGBM,
an aggressive form of brain cancer. VB-111 has received orphan drug
designation in both the United States and Europe and was granted
Fast Track designation by the FDA for prolongation of survival in
patients with glioblastoma that has recurred following treatment
with standard chemotherapy and radiation. VBL Therapeutics expects
to begin the pivotal Phase 3 trial for VB-111 in rGBM in the first
half of 2015, under a special protocol assessment agreement granted
by the FDA. VBL Therapeutics' lead product candidate from its
anti-inflammatory program, VB-201, is an oral small molecule
currently being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials for psoriasis
and for ulcerative colitis, with top-line results expected in the
first quarter of 2015.
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described or projected herein include uncertainties associated
generally with research and development, clinical trials and
related regulatory reviews and approvals, and the risk that
historical clinical trial results may not be predictive of future
trial results. A further list and description of these risks,
uncertainties and other risks can be found in the Company's
regulatory filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date hereof. VBL Therapeutics undertakes
no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this
press release, whether as a result of new information, future
events or circumstances or otherwise.
CONTACT: Hannah Deresiewicz
Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
212-362-1200, hannahd@sternir.com
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