药时代编者按：我们一直在关注珐博进（FibroGen）公司，为他们在中国及全球取得的卓越成就、与阿斯利康合作的巨大成功而感到高兴！昨晚惊闻噩耗，得知公司首席执行官Thomas B. Neff博士意外去世，深感震惊和痛心！天妒英才！现在，我们转载公司官网发布的新闻稿，以此沉痛悼念这一位为了全球、为了中国患者的健康福祉而开拓创新，研发新药的英雄！
Fibrogen Announces Passing of CEO Thomas B. Neff, Scientific Innovator and Pioneering Biopharmaceutical Executive
SAN FRANCISCO,Aug. 26, 2019(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —FibroGen, Inc.(NASDAQ:FGEN) announced today thatThomas B. Neff, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors ofFibroGen, passed away unexpectedly this past weekend.
Board memberJames A. Schoeneckhas been named FibroGen’s Interim CEO.
The FibroGen Board of Directors issued the following statement:
“Tom leaves a legacy of innovation and dedication that has been rarely matched in this industry. Tom foundedFibroGenin 1993 when he assembled the global scientific leaders in both collagen synthesis and the molecular and cellular mechanisms of prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors. This pioneering work led to the development of roxadustat, a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) and pamrevlumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the activity of connective tissue growth factor, or CTGF, a critical mediator in the progression of fibrosis and related serious diseases.”
“Roxadustat, the first oral therapy for the treatment of anemia, is approved inChina, under review inJapan, and approaching NDA in the U.S. and MAA inEurope; and pamrevlumab is in Phase 3 development for the treatment of both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pancreatic cancer, and in Phase 2 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Tom foundedFibroGenwith the vision to treat fibrosis at a time when there was no hope for this disease category and his commitment to these patients never wavered, nor did his passion for scientific innovation and discovery. He led this company for 25 years and established a company culture and a management team equally driven to support this passion.”
“In addition to founding and managingFibroGenfrom its beginning to a global biopharmaceutical company, Tom is a named inventor on over 100 patents. His contribution as a pioneer in the biotechnology industry will be measured by the lives he has and will impact with the development of these important areas he has pioneered.”
“The Board of Directors, management team, and employees, deeply mourn his passing, and extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family.”
James A. Schoeneck, a 9-year member of FibroGen’s Board of Directors, Chairperson of FibroGen’s Compensation Committee, and a member of FibroGen’s Audit Committee, has been named FibroGen’s Interim CEO while the Company pursues the process of retaining a permanent world-class CEO to fill the position. Mr. Schoeneck was Chief Executive Officer atDepomed, Inc., and has previous CEO experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as serving as Vice President and General Manager, Immunology, atCentocor Inc.(nowJanssen Biotech, Inc.), where he led the development of Centocor’s commercial capabilities. Jim will step down from committee service while he serves as interim CEO.
“The expertise in commercial-stage matters that Jim will bring to his role as interim CEO, combined with the long tenure, depth, and quality of FibroGen’s senior management, ensure that the company’s programs will advance without interruption. As roxadustat moves towards global commercialization, we are fortunate to be partnered withAstraZenecaand Astellas, who provide strong and comprehensive support,” saidTom Kearns, FibroGen’s Lead Independent Director and a board member for over 20 years. “We are committed to honoring Tom’s vision and dedication to bringing innovative therapies to patients in need.”
AboutFibroGenFibroGen, Inc., headquartered inSan Francisco, California, with subsidiary offices inBeijingandShanghai, People’sRepublic of China, is a leading biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics. The company applies its pioneering expertise in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) biology, and clinical development to advance innovative medicines for the treatment of anemia, fibrotic disease, and cancer. Roxadustat, the company’s most advanced product candidate, is an oral small molecule inhibitor of HIF prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) activity. Together with our collaboration partners Astellas andAstraZeneca, preparation for regulatory submissions for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) to the U.S.FDA, the EMA, and other competent authorities is underway. Roxadustat is approved for treatment of anemia associated with CKD inChinain both dialysis-dependent and non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients. Our partner Astellas submitted an NDA for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis inJapaninSeptember 2018, which is currently under review by the Pharmaceuticals andMedical Devices Agency(PMDA). Roxadustat is in Phase 3 clinical development in the U.S. andEuropeand in Phase 2/3 development inChinafor anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Pamrevlumab, an anti-CTGF human monoclonal antibody, is in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Pamrevlumab is also currently in a Phase 2 trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).FibroGenis also developing a biosynthetic cornea inChina. For more information, please visitwww.fibrogen.com.
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