LA JOLLA, Calif., Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Avidity
Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA) a biopharmaceutical company
committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called
Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), today
announced the appointment of experienced global commercial and
operations executive, Eric Mosbrooker to its board of directors.
Mr. Mosbrooker is an industry leader with expertise in building
global commercial organizations, as well as marketing, market
access, distribution, and compliance.
The company also announced the departure of Roderick Wong, M.D. from the board. Dr. Wong,
managing partner and chief investment officer at RTW Investments,
LP, joined Avidity's board in November
2019 in conjunction with the company's series C
financing.
"We are very pleased to have Eric join our Board further
enhancing a commercial perspective that will become increasingly
important as our pipeline continues to mature. His experience in
rare and genetic diseases is complementary to our existing board
members and makes him a welcome addition to the Avidity team," said
Sarah Boyce, president and CEO of
Avidity. "We are so grateful to Rod for his service over the past
year and a half. His expertise was invaluable as we completed our
IPO and first follow-on financing."
Mr. Mosbrooker has expertise in gene therapy, rare metabolic
diseases, additional orphan conditions and oncology. Mr. Mosbrooker
currently serves as the chief operations officer for Cognoa,
leading the commercial, program management, product, and business
operations functions. Prior to joining Cognoa, he was the chief
commercial officer at Audentes Therapeutics overseeing the gene
therapy business unit. Mr. Mosbrooker also served as the senior
vice president of the Global Orphan Business Unit at Horizon
Pharmaceuticals. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the
University of Wisconsin – Madison.
"I am pleased to join the board of directors at Avidity,
especially at such an exciting time for the company," said Mr.
Mosbrooker. "Avidity's innovative science, clear strategy and
strong AOC platform are a winning combination to improve the lives
of people affected by serious diseases. I look forward to working
with other board members and the management team to serve patients
and their families as Avidity emerges as a leader in the RNA
space."
About Avidity Biosciences
Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve
people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics -
Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCsTM). Avidity's
proprietary AOCs are designed to combine the specificity of
monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide
therapies to target the root cause of diseases previously
untreatable with RNA therapeutics. Avidity's lead product
candidate, AOC 1001, is designed to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1
(DM1). The FDA has cleared Avidity to proceed with the Phase 1/2
MARINATM trial of AOC 1001 in adults with DM1. Its
advancing and expanding pipeline also includes programs in
facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy (DMD), muscle atrophy and Pompe disease. The company is
planning for AOC 1044, the lead of three programs for the treatment
of DMD, and its AOC FSHD program to enter the clinic in 2022.
Avidity is also broadening the reach of AOCs beyond muscle tissues
through both internal discovery efforts and key partnerships as the
company continues to deliver on the RNA revolution. Avidity is
headquartered in La Jolla, CA. For
more information about our science, pipeline and people, please
visit www.aviditybiosciences.com and engage with us
on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements
Avidity cautions readers that statements contained in this press
release regarding matters that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the
company's current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
the potential of the AOCs platform and the progression and
maturation of the Company's pipeline of AOCs, the advancement of
AOCs into clinical development; the potential for Avidity's AOCs to
be commercialized; the potential of AOCs to have a transformative
impact on patients with a wide range of serious diseases; and
Avidity's strategy to deliver long-term growth. The inclusion of
forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a
representation by Avidity that any of these plans will be achieved.
Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press
release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the
business, including, without limitation: Avidity is early in its
development efforts and all of its development programs are in the
preclinical or discovery stage; Avidity's approach to the discovery
and development of product candidates based on its AOC platform is
unproven, and the company does not know whether it will be able to
develop any products of commercial value; potential delays in the
commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical trials;
disruption to its operations from the COVID-19 pandemic; Avidity's
dependence on third parties in connection with preclinical testing
and product manufacturing; unexpected adverse side effects or
inadequate efficacy of its product candidates that may limit their
development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization, or may
result in recalls or product liability claims; regulatory
developments in the United States and foreign countries,
including acceptance of INDs and similar foreign regulatory filings
and the proposed design of future clinical trials; risks related to
integration of new management personnel; and other risks described
in prior press releases and in filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Avidity cautions readers not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no
obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur
or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All
forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995.
Company & Investors Contact:
Kath Gallagher
kath.gallagher@aviditybio.com
(858) 401-7900
Media Contact:
Cherise
Adkins
cadkins@spectrumscience.com
(301) 267-4161
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SOURCE Avidity Biosciences, Inc.