Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC) has brought Dr Guy Breitenbucher, a highly experienced US medicinal chemist, onto its Scientific Advisory Board to help guide the company’s drug and formulation development programs in both clinical and pre-clinical settings.
Dr Breitenbucher has spent more than 26 years in scientific leadership positions at a range of pharmaceutical companies, including Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) Pharmaceuticals, Convelo Therapeutics, Libra Therapeutics, Dart Neuroscience, Axys Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers Squibb.
He has advanced numerous pharmaceutical projects from concept to the clinic as a particularly successful drug discovery and development researcher and has demonstrated a high level of skill in in solving complex drug discovery problems, including those surrounding formulations, DMPK, structure biology, pharmacology, biomarkers, intellectual property and safety.
“Experience rarely found in Australia”
“We are extremely pleased to have Guy joining the Race SAB,” Race Oncology CEO Phillip Lynch said.
“As we move our R&D and clinical programs forward, it’s imperative that we access the very best advice available. Guy will provide Race with a level of drug development knowledge and experience rarely found in Australia and his appointment is a significant enabler for our company and its development plans.”
Dr Breitenbucher led a major industrial research partnership with Genentech while vice president of Chemistry at Convelo Therapeutics.
At Johnson & Johnson, he led multiple pain and CNS drug development programs and delivered 11 compounds into the J&J clinical pipeline, three of which are currently in clinical development.
“Attracting an experienced drug developer of Guy’s stature to our SAB is a massive win for Race,” Race Oncology chief scientific officer Daniel Tillett said.
“Bringing a new drug to market is never easy, to succeed you need to involve the best of the best in the industry. I am looking forward to working closely with Guy and drawing on his experience and insights as we advance Zantrene® through its clinical, regulatory and commercial journey.”
Dr Breitenbucher has published 59 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals, is credited as investor on 39 patents and has given numerous invited scientific presentations at international conferences.
Race believes his scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge will be exceptionally valuable as its advances the development of improved Zantrene® formulations and explores the development of new m6A RNA focused molecules.
“I am honored to be able to play a role in Race Oncology’s mission to bring breakthrough cancer therapeutics to the patients who need them,” Dr Breitenbucher said.
“I look forward to working with the highly professional team at Race to further their life-saving work.”