NEWARK, Calif., Sept. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Protagonist
Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTGX) ("Protagonist" or "the Company")
today announced the appointment of Scott
Plevy, M.D., to the role of Executive Vice President and
Therapeutic Head, Gastroenterology. Dr. Plevy will oversee clinical
operations and development of Protagonist's ongoing and future
programs in gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, including PN-943, an
investigational drug candidate currently in a Phase 2 study in
ulcerative colitis.
"Scott is a global thought leader whose translational and
clinical research in gastroenterology and immunology has
contributed significantly to the development of drugs for
gastrointestinal diseases," said Dinesh V.
Patel, Ph.D., Protagonist's President and Chief Executive
Officer. "We are delighted to have someone of Scott's caliber join
our team. His widely recognized expertise in gastrointestinal
diseases, and his diverse experience spanning academia, large
pharma, and biotech, will further enhance our capabilities as we
advance our programs in immunologic diseases."
"I am excited to join Protagonist at this important moment,
building on the impressive progress the team has already made to
date," said Dr. Plevy. "Protagonist's portfolio has the potential
to address important unmet medical needs across various aspects and
types of gastrointestinal disease. I look forward to partnering
with my new colleagues to create meaningful change in how these
diseases are treated."
Dr. Plevy is a gastroenterologist and molecular immunologist who
most recently served as Chief Scientific Officer at Senda
Biosciences. He previously held the role of Chief Scientific
Officer at Synlogic Therapeutics, and also served as Vice
President, Immunology Research and Development at Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, where he contributed to the discovery,
development, launch and label expansion of several important drugs,
including Stelara®. Since the start of his career, Dr.
Plevy has published over 110 peer-reviewed scientific papers in
areas including novel immunologic interventions in inflammatory
bowel disease and other immunologic disorders. He has completed
multiple early-phase clinical trials where he served as the lead
investigator. Dr. Plevy earned B.A. and M.D. degrees from
Columbia University. He completed his
residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
About Protagonist Therapeutics
Protagonist Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company
with multiple peptide-based investigational new chemical entities
in different stages of development, all derived from the Company's
proprietary technology platform.
Protagonist's pipeline includes rusfertide (PTG-300), an
investigational, injectable hepcidin mimetic currently in a Phase 2
proof-of-concept clinical trial for polycythemia vera (PV), a Phase
2 study in PV subjects with high hematocrit levels, and a Phase 2
study for hereditary hemochromatosis. Based on the feedback
provided by the FDA and EU regulatory authorities, the Company
plans to initiate a single, global Phase 3 randomized,
placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of a
once weekly, subcutaneously self-administered dose of
rusfertide.
The Company is also evaluating an orally delivered,
gut-restricted alpha-4-beta-7 integrin specific antagonist peptide
(PN-943) currently in a Phase 2 study in adults with moderate to
severe active ulcerative colitis (UC). The Company is targeting
ulcerative colitis as the initial indication.
The Company has a worldwide license and collaboration agreement
with Janssen Biotech, Inc., for the development of oral peptide
IL-23 receptor antagonists. Compounds included in this agreement
are PTG-200, PN-235 and PN-232. PTG-200 is an orally delivered,
gut-restricted, interleukin-23 receptor specific antagonist peptide
in a Phase 2 clinical trial for Crohn's disease. PN-235 and PN-232,
both second-generation oral interleukin-23 receptor antagonist
candidates, are currently in Phase 1 studies.
Protagonist is headquartered in Newark, California.
For further information, please
visit www.protagonist-inc.com.
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SOURCE Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.