Appointment Reflects the Strength of Agios’ Clinical Development
Pipeline
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 2014--
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGIO), a leader in the fields of
cancer metabolism and inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), today
announced the appointment of Chris Bowden, M.D., to the newly created
position of chief medical officer, where he will oversee global clinical
development and regulatory initiatives for Agios. Dr. Bowden, who brings
more than 17 years of experience in clinical drug development, including
the approval of several cancer medicines, was previously vice president,
product development oncology, franchise lead (Signaling Group) at
Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group.
“We are thrilled that Chris is bringing to Agios his strong industry and
operational leadership at a time when our three oral, first-in-class
product candidates are advancing in the clinic,” said David Schenkein,
M.D., chief executive officer of Agios. “Chris has deep experience in
oncology drug development, including the use and approval of companion
diagnostics, which will prove valuable for our clinical development and
registration strategies. His career-long focus on patient quality of
care is an excellent fit with our vision and culture, which is dedicated
to making a fundamental difference in patients’ lives.”
“I’m excited to join Agios at this time of important growth and
evolution for the company,” said Dr. Bowden. “Agios is leading the
investigation of precision medicine in the field of cellular metabolism,
and has rapidly advanced several promising oral medicines to treat a
range of serious diseases. Together with our experienced leadership
team, I look forward to helping the company and our collaborator,
Celgene, continue to accelerate the development of our pipeline and
bring innovative new medicines to patients.”
During Dr. Bowden’s eight years at Genentech, he was responsible for the
successful development of a number of novel oncology medicines. He led
the teams responsible for the development and global registrations of
several marketed cancer medicines, including Zelboraf® indicated for the
treatment of BRAF V600E mutant-positive metastatic melanoma, Tarceva®
indicated for the first line therapy of patients with non-small cell
lung cancer whose tumors have an activating mutation of the Epidermal
Growth Factor receptor (EGFR), and Erivedge® for patients with
unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma. From
2003 to 2006, Dr. Bowden was the executive director for EMEA (Europe,
Middle East, Africa) regions for Bristol-Myers Squibb. In this role, he
led medical affairs strategies for cancer, immunology and pain
medicines. Earlier, Dr. Bowden held positions of increasing
responsibility in oncology clinical development, Phases I-III, at
Pharmacia Corporation and Janssen Pharmaceutica. Prior to his industry
experience, Dr. Bowden was on the oncology faculty at the University of
Virginia Health Science Center where he participated in numerous
industry and cooperative group trials. Dr. Bowden received his medical
degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia
followed by internal medicine training at Roger Williams Medical Center
and the Providence VA Medical Center, Rhode Island. He completed his
medical oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute Medicine
Branch. Dr. Bowden is board certified in internal medicine and medical
oncology.
About Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Agios Pharmaceuticals is focused on discovering and developing novel
drugs to treat cancer and inborn errors of metabolism, or IEMs, which
are rare genetic metabolic diseases, through scientific leadership in
the field of cellular metabolism. In addition to an active research and
discovery pipeline across both therapeutic areas, Agios has multiple
first-in-class lead product candidates in cancer metabolism and IEMs in
clinical and/or preclinical development. All Agios programs focus on
genetically identified patient populations, leveraging our knowledge of
metabolism, biology and genomics. For more information, please visit our
website at www.agios.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements include those regarding the expected benefits
of Dr. Bowden’s employment and Agios’ strategic plans and focus. The
words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,”
“plan,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “could,” and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all
forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such
statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ
materially from Agios’ current expectations and beliefs. For example,
there can be no guarantee that any product candidate Agios is developing
will successfully commence or complete necessary preclinical and
clinical development phases, or that development of any of Agios’
product candidates will successfully continue. There can be no guarantee
that any positive developments in Agios’ business will result in stock
price appreciation. Management’s expectations and, therefore, any
forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected
by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other important
factors, including: Agios’ results of clinical trials and preclinical
studies, including subsequent analysis of existing data and new data
received from ongoing and future studies; the content and timing of
decisions made by the U.S. FDA and other regulatory authorities,
investigational review boards at clinical trial sites and publication
review bodies; Agios’ ability to obtain and maintain requisite
regulatory approvals and to enroll patients in its planned clinical
trials; unplanned cash requirements and expenditures; competitive
factors; Agios’ ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other
intellectual property protection for any product candidates it is
developing; Agios’ ability to maintain key collaborations, such as its
agreement with Celgene; and general economic and market conditions.
These and other risks are described in greater detail under the caption
“Risk Factors” included in Agios’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2014, and other filings that Agios may make with
the Securities and Exchange Commission in the future. Any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as
of the date hereof, and Agios expressly disclaims any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Source: Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lora Pike, 617-649-8608
Lora.pike@agios.com