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Biopharmaceutical
Industry Leader Joins Acologix, Inc. Board of Directors
Company Leadership Focuses on Next Phase of Corporate
Development
Hayward, CA-February 15, 2006 — Acologix Inc., a privately
held biopharmaceutical company, announced today, the appointment
of Mr. Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Sirna Therapeutics,
Inc. to the Acologix Board of Directors. Earlier this month, Acologix
closed the second tranche of its approximately $30 million Series
C financing. To date, the company has raised over $75 million, primarily
from Japanese and other Asian institutional investors.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Mr. Robin, who has over
twenty years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry,”
said Yoshi Kumagai, President and CEO of Acologix. “Mr. Robin’s
experience in managing pharmaceutical development and multimillion
dollar commercial operations will make significant contributions
to the Company’s sustained growth.” Added R. Scott Greer,
Chairman of the Board, “With the addition of Mr. Robin, Acologix
has established a board with the requisite skills and international
experience to assist management as the company looks toward a potential
future public listing.”
In a position held since 2001, Mr. Robin serves as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Sirna Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RNAI), a
clinical-stage biotechnology company located in San Francisco, CA.
Sirna develops RNAi-based therapies for serious diseases and conditions,
including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), hepatitis B and
C, dermatology, asthma, Huntington's disease, diabetes and oncology.
"I am delighted to join the Acologix Board and help management
build a leading company focused on osteo-renal diseases," said
Howard Robin. "With a European Phase III clinical study underway
and a U.S. pivotal trial expected to begin later this year, I especially
am looking forward to assisting Acologix as it formulates its commercialization
strategy.”
Prior to joining Sirna Therapeutics, Mr. Robin was Corporate Vice
President and General Manager of the Therapeutics Division, as well
as a member of the Executive Committee, of Berlex Laboratories,
Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of the German pharmaceutical
firm Schering, AG. During his twenty-year career at Berlex, Mr.
Robin held various positions of increasing responsibility, including
Vice President of Finance and Business Development as well as Chief
Financial Officer. As General Manager of Therapeutics at Berlex,
Mr. Robin was responsible for the clinical development and commercialization
of drugs such as Fludara® for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and
Betaseron® for multiple sclerosis, generating worldwide sales
in excess of $750 million. Prior to joining Berlex, Mr. Robin was
a senior associate with Arthur Andersen & Co.
In addition to Mr. Robin, Acologix’s board includes R. Scott
Greer, a founder, past CEO and current chairman of Abgenix, Inc.,
Dan Hoth, M.D, a board certified oncologist, past CMO of Arris Pharmaceuticals
and Cell Genesys, and past director of Division of AIDS at NIAID,
Hatsushi Shimizu, Ph.D., the sole founder and director of Shimizu
International Patent Office, Tom Smart, Vice President of Business
Development of Xoma Ltd and previously SVP, Corporate Development
of GenVec., Aki Watanabe, past managing partner of KPMG Corporate
Finance and current managing partner of GCA Corporation, and Yoshi
Kumagai, President and CEO of Acologix, Inc.
About Acologix, Inc.
Acologix strives to improve patients’ lives by developing
and commercializing innovative biopharmaceuticals targeting “osteo-renal”
(bone and kidney) diseases. Acologix’ substantial expertise
in identifying and developing therapeutics with unique mechanisms
of action in the osteo-renal field will be a key to solving major
kidney and bone health problems. Such conditions include chronic
kidney disease, renal osteodystrophy, bone repair and regeneration,
periodontal disease, general dentistry and oral care. These conditions
are present in increasing numbers worldwide and require the development
of novel therapeutics. In June 2005, Acologix announced a partnership
with Toray Industries, Inc. of Japan on the development and commercialization
of AC-820 (or TRK-820), an anti-pruritic agent for the treatment
of uremic pruritus in dialysis patients. A European Phase III pivotal
clinical study is underway. Acologix plans to launch a US Phase
III trial in late 2006. Acologix’ leading hard tissue regeneration
compound, AC-100 (Dentonin®) is currently under investigation
in two Phase II clinical studies in Europe and the United States
for the repair of periodontal defects and in dental restorations,
respectively. Acologix has raised a total of $77 million to date,
through three rounds of private financing. For further information
on Acologix, please refer to the Company’s website at www.acologix.com
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause
results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements.
The forward-looking statements include statements regarding product
development and cannot be guaranteed. Acologix undertakes no obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result
of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking
statements in this press release should be evaluated together with
the many uncertainties that affect Acologix’s business.
Company Contact
Yoshi Kumagai
President and CEO
Phone: 510.512.7200
Fax: 510.786.1116
ir@acologix.com
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