Chief Scientific Officer Elaine Chiquette,
Pharm.D., Named Among the Top 25 Women Leaders in Biotechnology
Elizabeth Pash, MS, RD, LDN, Honored by Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics for Excellence in Practice
Gelesis, a consumer-focused biotherapeutics company and the
maker of Plenity®, announced that two senior leaders in the
company, Elaine Chiquette, Pharm.D., and Elizabeth Pash, MS, RD,
LDN, were recognized with top industry honors for their work.
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Gelesis Chief Scientific Officer Elaine
Chiquette, Pharm.D., Named Among the Top 25 Women Leaders in
Biotechnology
Chiquette, Gelesis’ Chief Scientific Officer, was named one of
the Top 25 Women Leaders in Biotechnology of 2021 from The
Healthcare Technology Report. She leads Gelesis’ regulatory,
medical affairs, and pre-clinical work, including the successful
efforts for FDA clearance of the company’s novel weight management
treatment, Plenity, as well as foreign market expansion efforts.
Recipients of this honor were selected based on comprehensive
analysis of professional milestones achieved, longevity in the
biotech field and demonstrated domain expertise.
“I am proud to work with a company invested in the success of
its female leaders, and so pleased to be honored alongside such
accomplished women in biotechnology. I’m even more thrilled to
celebrate and recognize my colleague Beth for her achievements,”
said Chiquette.
Pash, MS, RD, LDN, Gelesis’ Vice President of Medical Affairs,
was honored with an Excellence in Practice Award from the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics. This top Academy honor recognizes
outstanding leadership and contributions to the profession and
practice of nutrition and dietetics. The organization deemed Pash a
passionate nutrition advocate and firm believer that medical
affairs must be grounded in medicine and science.
“It means so much that the scientific work I am so passionate
about also resonates with others,” said Pash. “I am honored and
overwhelmed with gratitude to receive this award.”
About Gelesis
Gelesis is a consumer-centered biotherapeutics company advancing
a novel category of treatments for weight management and gut
related chronic diseases. Our non-systemic superabsorbent hydrogels
are the first and only made entirely from naturally derived
building blocks, and they are inspired by the composition (i.e.,
water & cellulose) and mechanical properties (e.g., elasticity
or firmness) of raw vegetables. They are conveniently administered
in capsules to create a much larger volume of small,
non-aggregating hydrogel pieces that become an integrated part of
the meals, and act locally in the digestive system. Our portfolio
includes Plenity®, an FDA-cleared product to aid in weight
management, as well as potential therapies in development for Type
2 Diabetes, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)/Non-alcoholic
Steatohepatitis (NASH), and Functional Constipation. In July we
announced with Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:
CPSR) that we have entered into a definitive business combination
agreement. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined
company’s securities are expected to be traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol “GLS.” For more information, visit
gelesis.com, or connect with us on Twitter @GelesisInc.
About Plenity
Plenity is designed to help people feel satisfied with smaller
portions so they can manage their weight. It is FDA-cleared to aid
in weight management in adults with excess weight or obesity, Body
Mass Index (BMI) of 25 to 40 kg/m², when used in conjunction with
diet and exercise. It is taken orally as three capsules with 16 oz.
of water twice a day, 20 minutes before lunch and dinner. If a dose
is missed it can be taken with the meal or immediately following
the meal. Plenity is not a drug, non-systemic, and not habit
forming. It uses a novel biomimetic approach inspired by the
composition and mechanical properties of vegetables.
Important Safety Information about Plenity
- Patients who are pregnant or are allergic to cellulose, citric
acid, sodium stearyl fumarate, gelatin, or titanium dioxide should
not take Plenity.
- To avoid impact on the absorption of medications:
- For all medications that should be taken with food, take them
after starting a meal.
- For all medications that should be taken without food (on an
empty stomach), continue taking on an empty stomach or as
recommended by your physician.
- The overall incidence of side effects with Plenity was no
different than placebo. The most common side effects were diarrhea,
distended abdomen, infrequent bowel movements, and flatulence.
- Contact a doctor right away if problems occur. If you have a
severe allergic reaction, severe stomach pain, or severe diarrhea,
stop using Plenity until you can speak to your doctor.
Rx Only. For the safe and proper use of Plenity or more
information, talk to a healthcare professional, read the Patient
Instructions for Use, or call 1-844-PLENITY.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In July, Gelesis entered into a business combination agreement
with Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: CPSR)
(“Capstar”), a special purpose acquisition company.
Capstar has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the
SEC, which includes a proxy statement/prospectus, that will be both
the proxy statement to be distributed to Capstar shareholders in
connection with its solicitation of proxies for the vote by Capstar
shareholders with respect to the proposed business combination and
other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as
well as the prospectus relating to the issuance of certain
securities to be issued in the proposed business combination. After
the Registration Statement is declared effective, the proxy
statement/prospectus and other relevant documents will be sent to
Capstar and Gelesis shareholders. Capstar also will file other
documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. This
press release does not contain all the information that should be
considered concerning the proposed business combination and is not
intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other
decision in respect of the proposed business combination. Before
making any voting decision, Capstar’s shareholders and other
interested persons are advised to read, when available, the
preliminary proxy statement/prospectus included in the Registration
Statement, the amendments thereto and the definitive proxy
statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that
will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed
transaction as they become available because they will contain
important information about Gelesis, Capstar and the proposed
transaction.
When available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and
other relevant materials for the proposed business combination will
be mailed to shareholders of Capstar as of the record date
established for voting on the proposed business combination.
Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain free
copies of the Registration Statement, the proxy
statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that
will be filed with the SEC by Capstar, without charge, once
available, through the website maintained by the SEC at
www.sec.gov. The documents filed by Capstar with the SEC also may
be obtained free of charge at Capstar’s website at www.capstarspac.com, or by written request to:
Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp., 405 West 14th Street,
Austin, TX 78701, Attention: R. Steven Hicks, Chief Executive
Officer, (512) 340-7800.
Participants in the Solicitation
Capstar and its directors and executive officers may be deemed
participants in the solicitation of proxies from Capstar’s
shareholders with respect to the proposed business combination. The
names of those directors and executive officers and a description
of their interests in Capstar is contained in Capstar’s final
prospectus dated July 6, 2020 relating to its initial public
offering and in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are
available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. To the extent such holdings of
Capstar’s securities may have changed since that time, such changes
have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in
Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional
information regarding the interests of such participants will be
contained in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed
business combination when available.
Gelesis and its directors and executive officers may also be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the
shareholders of Capstar in connection with the proposed business
combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive
officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed
business combination will be included in the proxy
statement/prospectus for the proposed business combination when
available.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements, estimates, targets and projections in this
press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the federal securities laws. The words “anticipate,”
“believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,”
“may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,”
“project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may
identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words
does not mean that statement is not forward looking.
Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other
statements about future events that are based on current
expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks
and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements regarding the satisfaction of closing
conditions to the proposed business combination and the expected
timing of the completion of the proposed business combination, the
benefits of the proposed business combination, the competitive
environment in which Gelesis operates, the expected future
operating and financial performance and market opportunities of
Gelesis and statements regarding Gelesis’ and Capstar’s
expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding
the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections,
forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or
circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only
as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put
undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Gelesis and
Capstar assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise
these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise. Gelesis and Capstar give
no assurance that any expectations set forth in this press release
will be achieved. Various factors could cause actual future
results, performance or events to differ materially from those
described herein. Some of the factors that may impact future
results and performance may include, without limitation: (i) the
size, demand and growth potential of the markets for Plenity®,
Gelesis’ other product candidates and its ability to serve those
markets; (ii) the degree of market acceptance and adoption of
Gelesis’ products; (iii) Gelesis’ ability to develop innovative
products and compete with other companies engaged in the weight
loss industry; (iv) Gelesis’ ability to complete successfully the
full commercial launch of Plenity® and its growth plans, including
new possible indications and the clinical data from ongoing and
future studies about liver and other diseases; (v) the inability of
the parties to successfully or timely consummate the proposed
business combination, including the risk that any required
regulatory approvals are not obtained, are delayed or are subject
to unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the
combined company or the expected benefits of the business
combination or that the approval of the shareholders of Capstar is
not obtained; (vi) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of
the business combination, including as a result of a delay or
difficulty in integrating the businesses of Capstar and Gelesis;
(vii) the amount of redemption requests made by Capstar
shareholders; (viii) the ability of Capstar or the combined company
to issue equity or equity-linked securities or obtain debt
financing in connection with the proposed business combination or
in the future; (ix) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may
be instituted against Capstar, Gelesis, the combined company or
others following the announcement of the proposed business
combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; (x)
the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards at or
following the consummation of the proposed business combination;
(xi) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts
current plans and operations of Gelesis as a result of the
announcement and consummation of the proposed business combination,
and as a result of the post-transaction company being a publicly
listed issuer; (xii) the regulatory pathway for Gelesis’ products
and product candidates and responses from regulators, including the
FDA and similar regulators outside of the United States, (xiii) the
ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth
profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and
retain Gelesis’ management and key employees; (xiv) costs related
to the proposed business combination, including costs associated
with the post-transaction company being a publicly listed issuer;
(xv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (xvi) the
possibility that Gelesis or the combined company may be adversely
affected by other economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive
factors; (xvii) Gelesis’ estimates of expenses and profitability;
(xviii) ongoing regulatory requirements, (xix) any competing
products or technologies that may emerge, (xx) the volatility of
the telehealth market in general, or insufficient patient demand;
(xxi) the ability of Gelesis to defend its intellectual property
and satisfy regulatory requirements; (xxii) the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on Gelesis’ business; (xxiii) the limited
operating history of Gelesis; and (xxiv) those factors discussed in
Capstar’s final prospectus dated July 6, 2020 and Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and the
Registration Statement, in each case, under the heading “Risk
Factors”, and other documents of Capstar filed, or to be filed,
with the SEC, including the proxy statement/prospectus included in
the Registration Statement filed by Capstar with the SEC. These
filings address other important risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results and events to differ materially from those
contained in the forward-looking statements.
Non-Solicitation
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a
proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or
in respect of the proposed business combination and shall not
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy
the securities of Capstar, Gelesis or the combined company, nor
shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of
securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211028005119/en/
Media Relations Katie Sullivan ksullivan@gelesis.com
Investor Relations Lynne Collier, ICR
lynne.collier@icrinc.com
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