Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has made several key appointments to further strengthen its capability in drug discovery and development.
Following a global search, Dr Dieter Hamprecht has been appointed as the head of chemistry in the Pharmaxis drug discovery team.
The company’s drug discovery track record is strong having generated five lead candidates s in fibrosis and inflammation over four years from its amine oxidase chemistry platform.
In addition, Pharmaxis has appointed two new members to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Professor Darren Kelly and Dr Kathleen Metters.
Gary Phillips, CEO, commented: “I am delighted that Pharmaxis has been able to attract high calibre employees and scientific advisors.
“The SSAO inhibitor PXS‐4728A acquired by Boehringer is in two phase 2 trials, two LOXL2 inhibitor candidates are about to enter phase 1 trials whilst a drug inhibiting both yeloperoxidase and SSAO and one inhibiting lysyl oxidases are in the final stages of pre‐candidate profiling before commencing pre‐clinical development with the aim to start phase 1 trials 2018.”
Dr Dieter Hamprecht
Dr Hamprecht was previously the managing director of Boehringer Ingelheim’s research group in Milan.
He has a distinguished career as a medicinal chemist having held senior positions at GSK and Boehringer with 37 publications and 44 patents to his name.