OSLO, Norway, Oct. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Targovax ASA
(OSE: TRVX), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing
oncolytic viruses to target hard-to-treat solid tumors, today
announces the formation of a new Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
The SAB consists of a group of world-renowned experts in
immuno-oncology research and drug development carefully selected to
act as advisors to guide the Targovax R&D strategy.
Victor Levitsky, Chief
Scientific Officer of Targovax said: We are very pleased to
have attracted such high caliber individuals with deep expertise in
immuno-oncology to serve on the newly formed Targovax Scientific
Advisory Board. In their capacity as world-leading experts in
immuno-oncology drug development, oncolytic viruses and
mesothelioma, Dr. Clynes, Dr. Zamarin and Prof. Fennel cover the
key scientific focus areas of Targovax. We are confident that the
discussions with the advisory board will be very insightful and
instrumental as we develop and implement the next phase of the
Targovax R&D strategy".
The SAB will be comprised of the following
members:
- Raphael Clynes, MD, PhD:
Dr. Clynes is an MIT graduate, MD/PhD
immunologist, and MSKCC-trained hematologist/oncologist. As a
well-recognized expert in clinical immunology, he has extensive
prior experience as a contributing member of multiple SABs in
biopharma and review boards at the NIH and national research
foundations. In his academic career, Dr. Clynes established the
critical role of Fc receptor engagement underlying the efficacy of
antitumor antibodies, providing the road map for the development of
a new class of potency enhanced Fc engineered antibodies in cancer,
including anti-CD20, anti-CD19 and anti-HER2 antibodies
(obinutuzumab, tafacitamab, margetuximab). At Columbia, Dr. Clynes
developed several novel therapeutic approaches in cancer and
autoimmunity, including DC targeting for cancer vaccines and Syk
and JAK mediated inhibition of DCs and T cells in autoimmunity
therapy. Since 2014, Dr. Clynes has led clinical development of
checkpoint, CD3 bi-specifics and cytokine programs in immunotherapy
at Bristol Myers Squibb and at Xencor, where he is currently VP
Translational Biology and oversees seven immunotherapeutic assets
currently in clinical development for cancer and autoimmunity.
- Dmitriy Zamarin, MD, PhD:
Dr. Zamarin is an Assistant Attending Physician and Translational
Research Director in the Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service at
the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is also a principal
investigator and a translational chair on several institutional and
cooperative group clinical trials exploring novel immunotherapy
combinations in gynecologic cancers and other solid tumors. Dr.
Zamarin's clinical and laboratory research are focused on
characterization of biomarkers in patients undergoing immunotherapy
and on development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies using
immunomodulatory antibodies and genetically-engineered oncolytic
viruses. Specifically, by manipulating the oncolytic viruses and
the immune system, he is exploring different ways to enhance the
immune recognition of tumors and to develop novel treatment
strategies that could overcome resistance to immune checkpoint
blockade.
- Dean A. Fennell, FRCP,
PhD: Professor Fennell is Professor & consultant in
Thoracic Medical Oncology, and Director of the Leicester
Mesothelioma Program based at the University of
Leicester/University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. He is an
internationally recognized key opinion leader, clinical
investigator and translational research in mesothelioma. He has led
several investigator-initiated trials from phase 1 through phase
III. Prof. Fennell is member of the IASLC mesothelioma taskforce,
steering committee for the British Lung Foundation mesothelioma
research network, past president of the International mesothelioma
interest group, co-author of the UK BTS, and European (ESMO, ERS)
mesothelioma treatment guidelines and served two terms on the EORTC
board. He is currently the Leicester lead for the groundbreaking
Cancer Research UK TraceRx/Darwin/PEACE and BLF supported MEDUSA
phylogenetic studies. Prof. Fennell has published over 100 peer
reviewed articles in journals including The Lancet, Lancet
Oncology, New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, Nature Reviews
Cancer, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
CONTACT:
For further information, please contact:
Renate Birkeli, Investor
Relations
Phone: +47-922-61-624
Email: renate.birkeli@targovax.com
Media and IR enquires:
Andreas Tinglum - Corporate
Communications (Norway)
Phone: +47-9300-1773
Email: andreas.tinglum@corpcom.no
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