Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

The collaboration exemplifies DDF's commitment to advancing gastrointestinal cancer research and treatment options for patients. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) announces an unprecedented collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) that marks a significant leap forward in the field of gastric cancer research. Through the visionary efforts and support of DDF, a research fellowship grant has been established at MSK under the guidance of Dr. Yelena Janjigian, Chief of Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at MSK. The "Debbie's Dream Foundation Gastric Cancer Investigator" fellowship will focus on patient care, research, and education specifically for esophageal and gastric cancers. The collaboration is a testament to the shared commitment of DDF and MSK to fueling groundbreaking research and providing top-notch cancer care. Continue Reading Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer Dr. Yelena Janjigian, a distinguished member of DDF's Scientific Medical Advisory Board, emphasized the importance of the DDF and MSK's partnership in shaping the future of gastric cancer research. "This fellowship signifies a commitment to excellence in gastroesophageal cancer research. With the support of DDF, we can provide dedicated time and resources to focus on advancing translational studies. This collaboration is pivotal in our collective efforts to better understand and treat esophageal and gastric cancers." Andrea Eidelman, Chief Executive Officer of DDF, expressed her pride in continuing to fund research that propels the organization's mission forward. "At DDF, we are deeply committed to advancing the landscape of gastric cancer research. This partnership with MSK is a significant step towards realizing our vision of a world without stomach cancer. Through the 'Debbie's Dream Foundation Gastric Cancer Investigator fellowship, we aim to make impactful strides in biomarker development, laboratory research, and translational studies in gastroesophageal cancer." DDF plans to contribute nearly $600,000 to fund this initiative over a three-year period, reinforcing the commitment to long-term support for innovative research. MSK will provide regular progress reports, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the fellowship. Upon completion of the funding, MSK will recognize DDF for its invaluable contribution to advancing cancer research and patient care. Since 2014, DDF, in partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), has invested $1.45 million in research grants to pioneering scientists in the United States. The 2023 AACR-Debbie's Dream Foundation Innovation and Discovery Grant recipients include Drs. Eunyoung Choi, Brent Allen Hanks, and Ryan H. Moy are exploring new targets and biomarkers for gastric cancer. Highlighting a significant milestone, DDF also celebrated Dr. Valerie O'Brien's recent discovery, funded by the 2018 Debbie's Dream Foundation-AACR Fellowship, of a precancerous cell type linked to H. pylori infection, offering new insights and therapeutic directions for gastric cancer. For more information about DDF programs and initiatives, please visit . About Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer DDF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about gastric cancer, advancing research funding, and providing international education and support to patients, families, and caregivers. DDF's ultimate goal is to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality. DDF was founded in 2009 by Debbie Zelman after she was diagnosed with stage IV incurable gastric cancer in 2008 and given only weeks to live. Debbie is considered a pioneer by many for bringing awareness to the plight of stomach cancer patients worldwide, as well as to the lack of federal funding for stomach cancer research. She did all of this while receiving hundreds of rounds of chemo and daily oral treatments. Debbie passed away on December 23, 2017, at 50, almost a decade later. As a result of her leadership, DDF now has a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of world-renowned doctors and chapters throughout Canada and Germany. DDF strives to continue Debbie's mission to make her dream a reality. To learn more, visit . Media Contact Brittnay Starks, Communications Director Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (954) 475-1200 [email protected] SOURCE Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer

PLYMOUTH, Mass.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--IDRx, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming cancer treatment with purpose-built precision therapies, today announced that it has strengthened its leadership team with the appointments of Tim Clackson, Ph.D. as Chief Executive Officer, and Brad Dahms as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer. Ben Auspitz, IDRx’s co-founder and founding CEO, and also co-founder of Forge Life Science Partners, will become Chairman of the IDRx Board of Directors. “I am thrilled to join the Company at this important stage of our development. At CTOS in November 2023, IDRx announced preliminary clinical data supporting the best-in-class potential of IDRX-42 in patients with GIST, for which a new therapy in the second line or front line has not been approved in nearly two decades,” said Dr. Clackson. “We are well-positioned to address the significant unmet need for patients with GIST, and I am humbled to be a part of such a talented team to further advance IDRX-42.” Dr. Clackson brings three decades of experience building oncology companies, including three oncology drug approvals. Dr. Clackson was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Theseus Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on development of precision oncology therapies, where he led the Company through its initial public offering and early clinical development for its lead product candidate for the treatment of GIST. Prior to Theseus, Dr. Clackson served as President at Xilio Therapeutics, a privately held oncology company developing tumor-selective immunotherapies, where he led the development of the Company's technology and product strategy. From 1994 to 2018, Dr. Clackson was with ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, where he held several leadership positions including President of Research & Development and Chief Scientific Officer. He played a key role in the company's evolution from early research to a global commercial oncology company, and its subsequent acquisition by Takeda. He led the multi-disciplinary R&D team that internally discovered and developed five clinical-stage product candidates, including ICLUSIG® (ponatinib), approved for patients with treatment-resistant Ph+ leukemias; ALUNBRIG® (brigatinib), approved for ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); and EXKIVITY™, approved for Exon20 insertion+ NSCLC. Prior to ARIAD, Dr. Clackson was a postdoctoral research fellow at Genentech. He received his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Cambridge, and his B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford. Dr. Clackson serves as a Director on the Board of Elevation Oncology and previously served as a. Director on the Boards of Forma Therapeutics (acquired by Novo Nordisk) and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio). “Tim brings an impressive track record of clinical execution with multiple drug approvals and Brad brings a wealth of experience strategically growing and financing companies,” said Mr. Auspitz. “We welcome their leadership as we continue to build the company and advance IDRX-42 with the goal of bringing a new therapy to GIST patients for whom current therapies continue to be limited by drug resistance and toxic side effects from available treatments.” Mr. Dahms was most recently Chief Financial Officer of Theseus Pharmaceuticals, where he led capital raises totaling approximately $230 million, including Theseus’ $180 million initial public offering. Mr. Dahms oversaw financial operations, information technology, business development, and investor/public relations. He led the sale of the Company to Concentra Biosciences. Prior to Theseus, Mr. Dahms served as Chief Financial Officer of Selecta Biosciences, Inc., where he oversaw financial operations, information technology, investor relations, and business development activities. He led Selecta through several significant financing and strategic transactions, including a $730 million licensing agreement for its lead program. Previously, Mr. Dahms was a Senior Vice President in the Healthcare Group at Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., focused on providing strategic and financial advice to life sciences companies. Prior to Cantor, Mr. Dahms held several other investment banking roles, including at RBC Capital Markets in the Healthcare Group, and at J.P. Morgan. Mr. Dahms earned a B.S. in Economics, with honors, from The Ohio State University. “I look forward to working with Tim, Ben, and the team at IDRx to grow the Company with the backbone of IDRX-42,” said Mr. Dahms. “The opportunity in GIST is large and unmet, and we have multiple paths to evaluate as we scale the Company for the benefit of patients and our investors.” About GIST Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common subtype of soft tissue sarcoma. Approximately 80% of cases arise from gain of function mutations in the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase, driving the malignancy through constitutive activation of aberrant signaling. Resistance mutations in KIT emerge in ~90% of patients treated with imatinib, the current standard of care for GIST. In unresectable or metastatic GIST, clinical benefits from existing treatments can vary by mutation type. About the IDRx Pipeline IDRX-42 is a potent, oral, highly selective KIT inhibitor targeting all major categories of activating and resistance mutations in patients with KIT-mutant GIST (including variants in exons 9, 11, 13 and 17). IDRX-42 is currently being evaluated in a first-in-human Phase 1/1b study, and clinical data to date suggest this therapy may represent a best-in-class therapy for GIST. IDRx is also developing IDRX-73, a highly selective inhibitor of exon-13-mutant KIT, which could provide future optionality in clinical development. An investigational new drug (IND) application for IDRX-73 was recently cleared by the FDA. About IDRx IDRx is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming cancer care with intelligently designed precision therapies. IDRx aims to address the limitations of today’s precision cancer medicines with highly potent and selective targeted therapies to stop key tumor escape mechanisms and prolong response to therapy. IDRx’s lead program is IDRX-42, designed to inhibit key genetic drivers and drug-resistant mutations of KIT in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). IDRx's pipeline also includes a second KIT inhibitor, IDRX-73. Founded in 2021, IDRx’s leadership team has extensive experience in drug development and collectively has been involved in the discovery, development, and commercialization of more than 10 approved drugs. To learn more, please visit www.idrx.com and follow us on LinkedIn .

SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) today announced the appointment of Deyaa Adib, M.D., an executive leader with almost three decades of oncology development experience, as Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer to oversee all global clinical development activities. The appointment is effective March 11, 2024. “Deyaa’s leadership and expertise in oncology research and clinical development, particularly in bringing oncology therapeutics to market, will be key to accelerating our oncology pipeline and bringing novel cancer therapies to patients in need,” said Thane Wettig, Chief Executive Officer of FibroGen. “We are excited to welcome him to FibroGen during this critical time as we prepare for two pivotal read-outs for pamrevlumab in pancreatic cancer, advance Phase 2 planning for FG-3246 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, IND for our anti-Galectin-9 antibody and continue IND-enabling work for our anti-CCR8 antibody,” he added. “We will benefit immensely from Deyaa’s broad and deep experience in oncology drug development, including his experiences in both pancreatic and prostate cancers.” “I am excited to join FibroGen and lead the clinical development organization at this important time for our company,” commented Deyaa Adib, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of FibroGen. “I look forward to working with such a highly talented and deeply experienced group of colleagues as we progress our oncology pipeline with the goal to bring valuable medicines to cancer patients with significant unmet medical need." Dr. Adib, a seasoned industry leader, has over 27 years of medical oncology experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, including seven successful registrations across solid tumor and hematologic malignancy indications. Prior to joining FibroGen, he was the Chief Medical Officer of Triumvira Immunologics Inc. where he led the transition of two novel cell therapy programs into clinical development. He previously served as Acting Chief Medical Officer at Rain Therapeutics, and as Vice President of late-stage development at Blueprint Medicines, where he led the development of avapritinib which is currently approved for gastrointestinal stromal tumors and advanced systemic mastocytosis. Dr. Adib also served as Global Therapeutics Head for solid tumors at Baxalta, in-licensing and advancing the development of nanoliposomal irinotecan that was subsequently approved globally for pancreatic cancer, establishing a new standard of care in the second line metastatic setting. He also served as Head of Hematologic Malignancies at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, leading the global clinical program for ponatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia. Earlier in his career, Dr. Adib held multiple oncology clinical development leadership positions at Aventis, Sanofi and Astellas Pharma, advancing the development of Taxotere in prostate cancer, breast cancer and gastric cancer, oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer and notably enzalutamide, which led to a treatment paradigm shift in prostate cancer. He has served as a scientific advisory board member for multiple biotech companies and provided strategic consulting support to several cell therapy startups. Dr. Adib obtained an M.B., B.Ch. degree from Cairo University School of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. He completed his postgraduate medical oncology training at the Anglo-American Cancer Institute in Cairo and additionally at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, in clinical pharmacology, drug development and regulation. About FibroGen FibroGen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on accelerating the development of novel therapies at the frontiers of cancer biology. Pamrevlumab, an anti-CTGF fully human monoclonal antibody, is in clinical development for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer and locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Roxadustat (爱瑞卓®, EVRENZOTM) is currently approved in China, Europe, Japan, and numerous other countries for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis and not on dialysis. Roxadustat is in clinical development for chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) and a Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) has been accepted for review by the China Health Authority. FibroGen recently expanded its research and development portfolio to include antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and immunoncology product candidates for the treatment of solid tumors. For more information, please visit . Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements regarding FibroGen’s strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements regarding its clinical programs and those of its partner, PanCAN. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential and probability of success of FibroGen product candidates, and statements about FibroGen’s plans and objectives and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will”, “should,” “on track,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. FibroGen’s actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties related to the continued progress and timing of its various programs, including the enrollment and results from ongoing and potential future clinical trials, and other matters that are described in FibroGen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors set forth therein. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and FibroGen undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by law. Contacts: FibroGen, Inc. Investors: David DeLucia, CFA Vice President of Corporate FP&A / Investor Relations ddelucia@fibrogen.com Media: Meichiel Keenan Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications mkeenan@fibrogen.com