Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:PAR) has added respected scientist Dr Christian Reiter to its R&D Department as senior principal research scientist.
The appointment of Dr Reiter strengthens the late-stage drug development company’s work in the pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) space.
PAR aims to develop and commercialise PPS for the treatment of pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders driven by injury, inflammation, ageing, degenerative disease, infection or genetic predisposition.
The company is also investigating proof-of-concept for the use of PPS in respiratory and heart failure indications.
“We are very excited to welcome Dr Reiter to Paradigm. Christian’s extensive knowledge base and experience with PPS will be great value to Paradigm’s R&D projects in developing new pipeline and second-generation products, as well as Paradigm’s OA and MPS programs," Paradigm CSO Dr Ravi Krishnan said.
Paradigm CEO Paul Rennie commented: “We are delighted Dr Reiter has chosen to join the Paradigm team. His decision reflects the long-standing and strong collaborative relationship between Paradigm and Bene to develop PPS to address unmet needs in new clinical indications.”
Long-standing relationship to bear fruit
While Dr Reiter officially joined the Paradigm team on Monday, November, 15 his work with bene pharmaChem GmbH & Co. KG (Bene) is highly familiar to PAR.
Dr Reiter has been working as director of Research and Development with Bene for more than 13 years and has developed analytical methods for the chemical characterisation of PPS and quantification in biological matrices and worked on potential application of PPS in new indications and the development of second-generation drugs.
Bene is the only FDA approved manufacturer/supplier of PPS.
Paradigm has a longstanding relationship with Bene, which was highlighted in September 2020 when the companies extended and expanded an exclusive licence and supply agreement.
The relationship was further fortified in March 2021, when the companies signed a new collaboration agreement allowing for the further development of injectable pentosan polysulfate sodium (iPPS) and other formulations containing PPS to address unmet needs in new clinical indications.
Dr Reiter fully endorses PAR
“After working alongside many of the Paradigm team over the last six years, I have been immensely impressed with the strength and experience of the team, the thorough understanding of PPS and the established pathway to commercialisation for multiple indications with an unmet need,” Dr Reiter said.
“I look forward to continuing work with the Paradigm team to further progress our understanding of the molecule, support clinical activities and build out the pipeline of future indications.”
Dr Reiter has a medical degree from the Ludwig-Maximilans-University (LMU), Munich, and postgraduate qualifications in scientific research from the Institute of Immunology at LMU.