Strengthens management team with seasoned
regulatory expert to support pipeline of gene therapies for the
treatment of cancer and diabetes, including two clinical trials in
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and one in Small Cell Lung
Cancer
AUSTIN,
Texas, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genprex,
Inc. ("Genprex" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage
gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies
for patients with cancer and diabetes, today announced the
appointment of Suzanne
Thornton-Jones, Ph.D. as Senior Vice President, Regulatory
Affairs. Dr. Thornton-Jones will leverage her regulatory expertise
to guide and oversee the Company's regulatory submissions and
strategy for Genprex's pipeline of gene therapy drug
candidates.
"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Thornton-Jones to the Genprex
team as her strategic regulatory and drug development expertise,
including with novel gene therapy products, will be invaluable as
we advance our innovative gene therapies to treat cancer and
diabetes," said Rodney Varner,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Genprex. "We
look forward to benefitting from Dr. Thornton-Jones' deep domain
experience at this important point in Genprex's growth,
particularly as we advance and expand our clinical development
programs in oncology with our REQORSA® Immunogene Therapy drug
candidate, and progress the development of our diabetes gene
therapy program toward first-in-human studies. We look
forward to Dr. Thornton-Jones' guidance as we drive these important
clinical programs forward."
Dr. Thornton-Jones has more than 25 years of experience in drug
development and extensive experience in regulatory strategy and
regulatory affairs. Before joining Genprex, she was Vice President,
Head of Regulatory Affairs and Project Team Lead at Tavanta
Therapeutics, where Dr. Thornton-Jones established and directed
robust regulatory strategies in support of early and late phase
specialty products in the Tavanta portfolio. She lead the
development and regulatory strategy for submission of regulatory
documents to global regulatory agencies. Prior to that, Dr.
Thornton-Jones was Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Project
Team Lead at Affinia Therapeutics, where she established and
directed regulatory strategies in support of novel neurodevelopment
and neuro-oncology gene therapy products for rare disease
indications. Dr. Thornton-Jones led strategic oversight for all
program related activities to advance first-in-human clinical
trials. She has also served in various other regulatory roles of
increasing scope and responsibility, including at the Gene Therapy
Program at the University of
Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, at AbbVie,
Sanofi, and as a reviewer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
among others.
Dr. Thornton-Jones holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology
and an M.S. and a B.S. in Biology, all from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Inducement Grant
The Company has granted 200,000
options to Dr. Thornton-Jones at an exercise price equal to
$0.44, the closing price of our
common stock on August 21, 2023, the
date of grant. The stock options were granted as an inducement
material to Dr. Thornton-Jones entering into employment with the
Company pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). While these
options were not granted under Genprex's 2018 Equity Incentive Plan
(the "Plan"), the awards will incorporate the terms of the
Plan. The options vest in equal one-third installments over
the next three years and are exercisable for a period of ten years
subject to continued service to the Company.
About Genprex, Inc.
Genprex, Inc. is a clinical-stage
gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies
for patients with cancer and diabetes. Genprex's technologies are
designed to administer disease-fighting genes to provide new
therapies for large patient populations with cancer and diabetes
who currently have limited treatment options. Genprex works with
world-class institutions and collaborators to develop drug
candidates to further its pipeline of gene therapies in order to
provide novel treatment approaches. Genprex's oncology program
utilizes its proprietary, non-viral ONCOPREX® Nanoparticle Delivery
System which encapsulates the gene-expressing plasmids using lipid
nanoparticles. The resultant product is administered intravenously,
where it is taken up by tumor cells that then express tumor
suppressor proteins that were deficient in the tumor. The Company's
lead product candidate, REQORSA® (quaratusugene ozeplasmid),
is being evaluated in three clinical trials as a treatment for
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer
(SCLC). Each of Genprex's three lung cancer clinical programs has
received a Fast Track Designation from the Food and Drug
Administration ("FDA"), and Genprex's SCLC program has received an
FDA Orphan Drug Designation. Genprex's diabetes gene therapy
approach is comprised of a novel infusion process that uses an
adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver Pdx1 and MafA genes
directly to the pancreas. In models of Type 1 diabetes, GPX-002
transforms alpha cells in the pancreas into functional beta-like
cells, which can produce insulin but may be distinct enough from
beta cells to evade the body's immune system. In a similar
approach, GPX-003 for Type 2 diabetes, where autoimmunity is not at
play, is believed to rejuvenate and replenish exhausted beta
cells.
Interested investors and shareholders are encouraged to sign up
for press releases and industry updates by visiting the Company
Website, registering for Email Alerts and by following Genprex on
Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements
Statements contained in this press release
regarding matters that are not historical facts are
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs,
expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of
performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty.
These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered
in light of various important factors, including those set forth in
Genprex's reports that it files from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and which you should review,
including those statements under "Item 1A – Risk Factors" in
Genprex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2022.
Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
Genprex's ability to advance the clinical development,
manufacturing and commercialization of its product candidates in
accordance with projected timelines; the timing and success of
Genprex's clinical trials and regulatory approvals; the effect of
Genprex's product candidates, alone and in combination with other
therapies, on cancer and diabetes; Genprex's future growth and
financial status, including Genprex's ability to continue to
obtain capital to meet its long-term liquidity needs on acceptable
terms, or at all; Genprex's commercial and strategic partnerships,
including those with its third party vendors, suppliers and
manufacturers and their ability to successfully perform and scale
up the manufacture of its product candidates; and Genprex's
intellectual property and licenses.
These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as
predictions of future events and Genprex cannot assure you that the
events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements
will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements
prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should
not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by
Genprex or any other person that Genprex will achieve its
objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Genprex disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any
revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of
this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events, except as required by law.
Genprex, Inc.
(877) 774-GNPX (4679)
GNPX Investor
Relations
investors@genprex.com
GNPX Media Contact
Kalyn
Dabbs
media@genprex.com
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SOURCE Genprex, Inc.