Aprea Therapeutics Inc., (NASDAQ: APRE), a clinical-stage
biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing
novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate mutant p53 tumor
suppressor protein, today announced the promotion of Gregory S.
Wessels to the newly created position of Chief Commercial Officer.
“We are excited to have Greg assume the role of Chief Commercial
Officer as we approach key milestones in our frontline MDS program
and continue to execute on our plans for the future development of
eprenetapopt,” said Christian S. Schade, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Aprea Therapeutics. “Greg’s leadership and
oncology market experience will be essential as we build out our
commercial capabilities.”
Mr. Wessels joined Aprea in February 2020 from Bristol-Myers
Squibb where he most recently served as Executive Director – US
Marketing for Lymphoma and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Prior to
joining Aprea from BMS, Mr. Wessels held global and regional
oncology marketing positions of increasing responsibility over more
than 11 years at Celgene Corporation.
The Company also announced today that two of its independent
directors, Scott Rocklage, Ph.D. and Jonathan Hepple, Ph.D. have
decided to step down after nearly a decade of collective service on
the Board. In connection with the departure from the Board of Drs.
Rocklage and Hepple, Christian S. Schade was appointed Chairman of
the Board of Directors, John B. Henneman was named Lead Independent
Director, Richard Peters, M.D., Ph.D, became Chairman of the
Company’s Compensation Committee and Fouad Namouni, M.D. became a
member of the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and all Aprea employees, we
are grateful to both Scott Rocklage and Jonathan Hepple for their
contributions and years of invaluable service to the Company,”
added Christian S. Schade.
“Aprea has made tremendous progress in advancing therapeutics to
target TP53 mutations in oncology,” said Scott Rocklage. “With the
addition to the Board of Drs. Namouni and Peters in June, I believe
that the Company has the right team in place to transition to the
next phase of its development leading with its Phase 3 program in
frontline MDS. It has been a pleasure to be a part of the Aprea
team.”
About Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.
Aprea Therapeutics, Inc., (NASDAQ: APRE) is a biopharmaceutical
company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with research
facilities in Stockholm, Sweden, focused on developing and
commercializing novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate the
mutant tumor suppressor protein p53. The Company’s lead product
candidate is APR-246 (eprenetapopt), a small molecule in clinical
development for hematologic malignancies, including myelodysplastic
syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). APR-246 has
received Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug and Fast Track
designations from the FDA for MDS, and Orphan Drug designation from
the European Commission for MDS, AML and ovarian cancer. For more
information, please visit the company website at www.aprea.com.
The Company may use, and intends to use, its investor relations
website at https://ir.aprea.com/ as a means of disclosing material
nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure
obligations under Regulation FD.
About p53 and APR-246 (eprenetapopt)
The p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most frequently mutated
gene in human cancer, occurring in approximately 50% of all human
tumors. These mutations are often associated with resistance
to anti-cancer drugs and poor overall survival, representing a
major unmet medical need in the treatment of cancer.
Eprenetapopt (APR-246) is a small molecule that has demonstrated
reactivation of mutant and inactivated p53 protein – by restoring
wild-type p53 conformation and function – and thereby inducing
programmed cell death in human cancer cells. Pre-clinical
anti-tumor activity has been observed with eprenetapopt in a wide
variety of solid and hematological cancers, including MDS, AML, and
ovarian cancer, among others. Additionally, strong synergy
has been seen with both traditional anti-cancer agents, such as
chemotherapy, as well as newer mechanism-based anti-cancer drugs
and immuno-oncology checkpoint inhibitors. In addition to
pre-clinical testing, a Phase 1/2 clinical program with
eprenetapopt has been completed, demonstrating a favorable safety
profile and both biological and confirmed clinical responses in
hematological malignancies and solid tumors with mutations in the
TP53 gene.
A pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of eprenetapopt and azacitidine
for frontline treatment of TP53 mutant MDS is ongoing. Eprenetapopt
has received Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug and Fast Track
designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for MDS,
and Orphan Drug designation from the European Medicines Agency for
MDS, AML and ovarian cancer.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain information contained in this press release includes
“forward-looking statements”, within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, related to our
clinical trials and regulatory submissions. We may, in some cases
use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “continue,”
“anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,”
“targeting,” “confidence,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “likely,”
“will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of the
future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking
statements. Our forward-looking statements are based on current
beliefs and expectations of our management team that involve risks,
potential changes in circumstances, assumptions, and
uncertainties. Any or all of the forward-looking statements
may turn out to be wrong or be affected by inaccurate assumptions
we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
including risks related to the success and timing of our clinical
trials or other studies, risks associated with the coronavirus
pandemic and the other risks set forth in our filings with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For all these
reasons, actual results and developments could be materially
different from those expressed in or implied by our forward-looking
statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of
this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update
such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.
Source: Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.
Corporate Contacts:
Scott M. Coiante
Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
617-463-9385
Gregory A. Korbel
Vice President of Business Development
617-463-9385
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