Fibrocell Announces Leadership Changes
December 19 2016 - 8:00AM
John Maslowski Succeeds David Pernock as Chief
Executive Officer;Douglas Swirsky Appointed Chairman of the Board
of Directors
Fibrocell Science, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCSC) today announced that John
Maslowski has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and
Douglas Swirsky has been appointed Chairman of the Company’s Board
of Directors, succeeding David Pernock effective immediately. In
addition, Mr. Maslowski has been appointed to the Company’s Board.
“During 2016, Fibrocell has completely
transitioned to a clinical-stage gene therapy company and we are
confident that under John’s leadership its significant momentum
will continue. We look forward to fulfilling the promise of
our proprietary fibroblast platform for patients suffering from
rare, devastating genetic diseases of the skin and connective
tissue,” said Mr. Swirsky. “We appreciate David’s contributions to
Fibrocell and wish him well as he pursues new business
opportunities.”
Mr. Maslowski joined Fibrocell in 2005 and most
recently served as the Company’s Senior Vice President of
Scientific Affairs with oversight of research and development,
clinical and regulatory affairs. Previously, he was Vice President
of Operations with responsibility for manufacturing and quality
operations. Prior to joining Fibrocell, he held various
positions at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc. and
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Mr. Maslowski earned
a B.S. in Biology from Ursinus College and an M.S. in Biology from
Villanova University.
“I am honored to be appointed CEO of Fibrocell
and have the opportunity to lead our dedicated team as we move into
2017 and beyond,” said Mr. Maslowski. “Our pipeline consists of
therapies with transformative potential that target the underlying
cause of disease and I look forward to working with our team, Doug
and the Board as we advance FCX-007, our clinical-stage candidate
for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa,
and our other cell-based gene therapy programs.”
About FCX-007
FCX-007 is Fibrocell's clinical-stage,
gene-therapy product candidate for the treatment of recessive
dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a congenital and
progressive orphan skin disease caused by the deficiency of the
protein type VII collagen (COL7). FCX-007 is a
genetically-modified autologous fibroblast that encodes the gene
for COL7 and is being developed in collaboration with Intrexon
Corporation (Intrexon). By genetically modifying autologous
fibroblasts ex vivo to produce COL7, culturing them and then
treating wounds locally via injection, FCX-007 offers the potential
to address the underlying cause of the disease by providing high
levels of COL7 directly to the affected areas while avoiding
systemic distribution. To learn more about the FCX-007 Phase I/II
clinical trial, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and search the
identifier NCT02810951.
About FCX-013
FCX-013 is Fibrocell’s gene-therapy product
candidate for the treatment of linear scleroderma, a chronic
autoimmune disease characterized by thickening of the skin and
connective tissue that can be debilitating and painful. FCX-013 is
an autologous fibroblast cell genetically modified to express a
protein to breakdown excess type I collagen and type III collagen
at the site of the localized disease and is also being developed in
collaboration with Intrexon. FCX-013 incorporates Intrexon’s
proprietary RheoSwitch Therapeutic System®, a biologic switch
activated by an orally administered compound which allows control
of future protein expression once the initial fibrosis has been
resolved. FCX-013 is currently in pre-clinical development for the
treatment of linear scleroderma, a form of localized
scleroderma.
About Fibrocell
Fibrocell is an autologous cell and gene therapy
company translating personalized biologics into medical
breakthroughs for diseases affecting the skin and connective
tissue. Fibrocell’s most advanced product candidate, FCX-007,
has begun a Phase I/II trial for the treatment of recessive
dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Fibrocell is in
pre-clinical development of FCX-013, its product candidate for the
treatment of linear scleroderma. In addition, Fibrocell has a
third program in the research phase for the treatment of arthritis
and related conditions. Fibrocell’s gene-therapy portfolio is
being developed in collaboration with Intrexon Corporation
(NYSE:XON), a leader in synthetic biology. For more
information, visit www.fibrocell.com or follow us on Twitter at
@Fibrocell.
Trademarks
Fibrocell, the Fibrocell logo, Fibrocell Science
and LAVIV® are trademarks of Fibrocell Science, Inc. and/or its
affiliates. All other names may be trademarks of their
respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, and our officers
and representatives may from time to time make, statements that are
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor
provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. All statements that are not historical facts are hereby
identified as forward-looking statements for this purpose and
include, among others, statements relating to: the potential
advantages of FCX-007 and Fibrocell’s other product candidates;
Fibrocell’s expectation to dose the first subject in the Phase I
portion of its FCX-007 trial at the end of the year; and other
statements regarding Fibrocell’s future operations, financial
performance and financial position, prospects, strategies,
objectives and other future events.
Forward-looking statements are based upon
management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject
to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could
cause actual results and events to differ materially and adversely
from those indicated herein including, among others: whether
pre-clinical and clinical trial results will validate and support
the safety and efficacy of Fibrocell’s product candidates; and the
risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the caption
“Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Fibrocell’s most recent Form 10-K filing
and Form 10-Q filings. As a result, you are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. While Fibrocell
may update certain forward-looking statements from time to time,
Fibrocell specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, whether
as a result of new information, future developments or
otherwise.
Investor Relations Contact
Annie Cheng
646-362-8804
acheng@clermontpartners.com
Media Relations Contact
Karen Casey
484-713-6133
kcasey@fibrocell.com
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