Osmol Therapeutics Names Christopher S. Eklund to Board

May 15, 2024 - Osmol Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced the addition of Christopher S. Eklund to its Board of Directors. Christopher S. Eklund is the Managing Director and Partner at J.W. Childs Associates, a firm specializing in venture capital investments. Osmol Therapeutics is dedicated to developing preventive treatments for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI).

"We are thrilled to have Chris join our Board," said Bob Linke, MBA, President and CEO of Osmol Therapeutics. "His vast experience in biopharma finance, including investments, corporate strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, will be invaluable as we move forward with our mission to improve the quality of life for cancer patients without compromising the effectiveness of their treatment."

Christopher S. Eklund echoed these sentiments, expressing his enthusiasm for contributing to Osmol Therapeutics' goals. He emphasized the importance of advancing OSM-0205, a preventative treatment for CIPN and CICI. These conditions affect a significant number of chemotherapy patients annually, forcing them to choose between optimal cancer treatment and minimizing the painful and debilitating side effects of CIPN and CICI.

Mr. Eklund's background is extensive and distinguished. Before his current role at J.W. Childs Associates, he was the Managing Director and Head of Corporate Strategy at New York Life Investment Management. His career also includes leadership positions at OMAX Health, Berkshire Capital Corporation, Furman Selz LLC, and Merrill Lynch & Co. Mr. Eklund holds an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the New York Society of Securities Analysts.

Osmol Therapeutics is particularly focused on OSM-0205, their lead therapeutic candidate. This treatment is based on the research of Dr. Barbara Ehrlich, a Professor of Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine. Her work on neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS1) has led to the development of OSM-0205, which aims to prevent the off-target calcium surge caused by taxanes and other chemotherapy treatments that result in peripheral nerve damage. Non-clinical studies conducted by Osmol have shown that pre-treatment with OSM-0205 can prevent the pathological damage caused by these chemotherapy agents.

Osmol Therapeutics is a privately held biopharmaceutical company in its clinical stage, committed to the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment. The company’s approach is grounded in the pioneering work of Dr. Barbara Ehrlich, who serves as both a Professor of Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine and the Chief Scientific Advisor for Osmol Therapeutics. Their primary focus is on preventing CIPN related to taxane treatments. This issue is particularly pressing, as up to 80% of patients treated with taxanes for breast cancer experience CIPN, with up to 50% requiring dose modifications that could impact their cancer treatment.

The addition of Christopher S. Eklund to the Board of Directors marks a significant step for Osmol Therapeutics as they continue their mission to develop treatments that will allow cancer patients to maintain their quality of life while receiving effective chemotherapy.

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