Finch Therapeutics Group, Inc. (“Finch” or “Finch Therapeutics”)
(Nasdaq: FNCH), a clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company
leveraging its Human-First Discovery® platform to develop a novel
class of orally administered biological drugs, today announced the
appointment of Bryan Gillis, MBA, to Chief Technology Officer, Alka
Batycky, PhD, to Chief Development Officer, and Howard Franklin,
MD, MBA, to Senior Vice President, Late-Stage Development and
Gastrointestinal (GI) Therapeutic Area Lead.
“We are delighted to welcome Bryan, Alka and Howard to the team,
three accomplished leaders who each bring deep industry expertise
to Finch. With Bryan’s manufacturing and operations experience,
Alka’s broad drug development expertise, and Howard’s experience
leading late-stage development and commercialization of novel GI
therapeutics, each of these new executives will further strengthen
Finch’s capabilities in areas that will be key to the next phase of
our growth,” said Mark Smith, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Finch
Therapeutics. “We look forward to leveraging their expertise and
insights as we advance our Phase 3 program in recurrent C.
difficile, prepare to launch our next programs into the clinic, and
continue to make progress across multiple discovery-stage programs
that offer exciting new opportunities to leverage
our microbiome therapeutics platform.”
Bryan Gillis, MBA, Chief Technology Officer
Mr. Gillis has more than 20 years of experience across
operations management, supply chain, global program leadership,
strategic product and portfolio life cycle management, and global
product quality management in the biotechnology industry. He most
recently served as Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply at
Rubius Therapeutics, where he led the development and execution of
the company’s supply chain strategy with a focus on commercial
launch. Previously, Mr. Gillis held manufacturing and company
leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Alexion, Sanofi
(Genzyme), Lonza, and Amgen. Prior accomplishments include
supporting development programs and regulatory submissions for
Replagal® & VPRIV®. He earned a BS in Biology from Eastern
Nazarene College and an MBA from Boston University.
Alka Batycky, PhD, Chief Development
Officer
Dr. Batycky has more than 20 years of international
biopharmaceutical industry experience, spanning from early
discovery to product approval. She has led development teams
across a broad range of therapeutic areas including oncology, CNS
disorders, inflammatory diseases and reproductive health, utilizing
multiple modalities including small molecules, biologics, devices
and combination products. Dr. Batycky most recently served as Chief
Development Officer at Ohana Biosciences, where she oversaw
regulatory, manufacturing, quality and clinical operations.
Previously, she held leadership roles at Akashi Therapeutics, Warp
Drive Bio, and AMAG Pharmaceuticals. Prior to this, she held
increasing responsibilities at CombinatoRx, Synta Pharmaceuticals,
Alkermes and GSK. Her accomplishments include supporting the
successful development of Feraheme®, Inbrija®, and Vivitrol®. Dr.
Batycky earned a bachelor’s degree in Toxicology and Pharmacology
and a PhD in Toxicology from the School of Pharmacy, University of
London, UK.
Howard Franklin, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President,
Late-Stage Development and GI Therapeutic Area Lead
Dr. Franklin has more than 20 years of experience as a general
surgeon and biopharmaceutical executive, with deep expertise
spanning clinical development, regulatory strategy, medical
affairs, and product commercialization. He most recently served as
Chief Medical Officer at Salix Pharmaceuticals, where he provided
leadership and expertise to program teams focused on the
development of GI therapeutics, including amiselimod, next
generation Xifaxan® formulations, ENVIVE™, and other GI and
microbiome focused programs. Previously, he held leadership roles
within early-stage biotechnology companies as well as large
pharmaceutical companies, including Icon Bioscience, Oceana
Therapeutics, The Medicines Company, and Esprit Pharma. Prior
accomplishments include supporting the regulatory submission and
FDA approval of PLENVU®, DexyCu®, and Solesta®. Prior to entering
industry, Dr. Franklin served as a general surgeon in private
practice. He earned his BS from Lehigh University, his MD from
Drexel University College of Medicine, and his MBA from La Salle
University.
About Finch Therapeutics
Finch Therapeutics is a clinical-stage microbiome
therapeutics company leveraging its Human-First Discovery®
platform to develop a novel class of orally administered biological
drugs. With the capabilities to develop both complete and targeted
microbiome therapeutics, Finch is advancing a rich pipeline of
candidates designed to address a wide range of unmet medical needs.
Finch’s lead candidate, CP101, is in late-stage clinical
development for the prevention of recurrent C.
difficile infection (CDI) and has received Breakthrough
Therapy and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. In June 2020, Finch announced that CP101 met its
primary efficacy endpoint in PRISM3, the first of two pivotal
trials to support the development of CP101 for the prevention of
recurrent CDI. PRISM4, a Phase 3 trial, is designed to serve as the
second pivotal trial of CP101 for recurrent CDI. Finch is also
developing CP101 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus,
and FIN-211 for children with autism spectrum disorder and
significant gastrointestinal symptoms. Finch has a partnership with
Takeda focused on the development of targeted microbiome
therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease.
Human-First Discovery® is a registered trademark of Finch
Therapeutics Group, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters
that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, as amended. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,”
“expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” "projects,” “would” and
"future" or similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Finch’s
ability to advance a novel class of orally administered biological
drugs and continue to make progress across multiple discovery-stage
programs. Because such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These
risks and uncertainties include, among others: Finch’s limited
operating history and historical losses; Finch’s ability to raise
additional funding to complete the development and any
commercialization of its product candidates; Finch’s dependence on
the success of its lead product candidate, CP101; the possibility
that Finch may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing
any clinical trials; results of clinical trials may not be
indicative of final or future results from later stage or larger
clinical trials (or in broader patient populations once the product
is approved for use by regulatory agencies) or may not be favorable
or may not support further development; Finch’s product candidates
may not generate the benefits to patients that are anticipated;
anticipated regulatory approvals may be delayed or refused;
competition from third parties that are developing products for
similar uses; Finch’s ability to maintain patent and other
intellectual property protection and the possibility that Finch’s
intellectual property rights may be infringed, invalid or
unenforceable or will be threatened by third parties; Finch’s
ability to qualify and scale its manufacturing capabilities to
support multiple global clinical trials; Finch’s lack of experience
in selling, marketing and distributing its product candidates;
Finch’s dependence on third parties in connection with
manufacturing, clinical trials and preclinical studies; and risks
relating to the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic on
Finch’s business. These and other risks are described more fully in
Finch’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”), including the section titled “Risk Factors” in Finch’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 10,
2021, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and
other important factors in Finch’s other filings with the SEC. All
forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak
only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent
required by law, Finch undertakes no obligation to update such
statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist
after the date on which they were made.
Investor Contact:
Stephen JasperGilmartin Group(858)
525-2047stephen@gilmartinir.com
Media Contact:
Jenna UrbanBerry & Company Public
Relations(212) 253-8881jurban@berrypr.com
Finch Therapeutics (NASDAQ:FNCH)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
Finch Therapeutics (NASDAQ:FNCH)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024