BOSTON and Pasadena, Calif., – Axial Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology company building a unique class of microbial-inspired therapeutics for neurological diseases, today announced the appointment of renowned researchers and thought leaders with expertise in neurology, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and regulatory strategy to its scientific and clinical advisory board (SAB). The board will support Axial in its drug development efforts in PD and other neurological diseases and disorders as the Company moves into the clinic. In addition, Axial has hired new CMC and bio-analytics personnel ahead of entering the clinic.
“Having access to the broad knowledge-base and expertise this group holds in neurological diseases and disorders and regulatory strategy will be invaluable moving forward in our efforts to develop treatments for PD and other CNS diseases,” said David H. Donabedian, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of Axial Biotherapeutics. “Working at the front line of the gut-brain axis field, where we are often the first to tackle new targets, it is important to have the guidance of these experienced researchers and physicians. In addition, their belief in us and willingness to join our effort is strong validation of our science and leading position in the field.”
The new members of Axial’s SAB are listed below. Full biographies for each member can be found on the Axial Biotherapeutics website.
- Patrik Brundin, MD, PhD, Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) Associate Director of Research, Professor and Director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Research
- Lode Dewulf, MD, DPM, FFPM, Chief Patient Affairs Officer, Servier
- Marie-Francoise Chesselet, MD, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Neurology and of Neurobiology Emerita, UCLA
- Peter Hutt II, Senior Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP
- Marty Jefson, PhD, CEO, Pinteon Therapeutics
- Torsten Madsen, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Aptinyx
- Steven M. Opal, MD, Professor, Alpert Medical School, Brown University
- Kathleen M. Shannon, MD, FAAN, FANA, Chief of Neurology, Detling Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
“The relationship between the gut microbiome and neurological diseases is very compelling, and Axial’s research stands at the forefront of the field,” said Patrik Brundin, MD, PhD, VARI Associate Director of Research, Professor and Director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Research. “This innovative treatment approach for CNS diseases, targeting the microbiome and its metabolites, shows great promise. I look forward to working with this impressive advisory board and Company and to contribute to Axial’s success.”
“This new direction for studying and treating these diseases and disorders, using or targeting the body’s bacterial population, is both innovative and promising, allowing for a whole new branch of neurological therapeutics. I am very pleased to be able to support this new path Axial is leading,” said Torsten Madsen, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Aptinyx.
About Axial Therapeutics
Axial Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of gut-restricted, small molecule therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The company is leveraging its expertise in the gut-brain axis and its unique drug development platform to advance novel therapies that have the potential to transform the treatment paradigm in neurological diseases. Axial is advancing a pipeline of small molecule product candidates with lead clinical programs that address underlying pathology and resulting symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and additional preclinical initiatives in small molecules in other areas of autism and PD, as well as oncology and rare CNS diseases.
Contacts for Axial Therapeutics
Media:
Mike Beyer
Sam Brown, Inc.
312-961-2502
mikebeyer@sambrown.com
Investors:
Jeffrey Young, CFO
781-701-8467
jeffrey@axialtx.com