Global leader with a distinguished 30-year
career in oncology, hematology, and academia with significant
contributions in clinical developments in ovarian cancer, lung
cancer, and leukemias and lymphomas
Company continues to advance clinical
development across priority development pipeline with expected
launch of 2 clinical trials in Europe in 2022
HOUSTON, May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the
"Company"), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company with a
broad portfolio of drug candidates targeting highly resistant
tumors and viruses, today announced that the Company has
engaged Wolfram C. M. Dempke, MD,
PhD, MBA, MRCP as its EU Chief Medical Officer and part-time
contractor for its European clinical trials.
Dr. Dempke currently serves as the Vice President, Scientific
Solutions: Hematology & Oncology, at Worldwide Clinical Trials.
He holds oncology/hematology society memberships in the U.S. and
Europe. He has published five
textbooks and more than 150 peer-reviewed papers. Dr. Dempke
continues to teach classes in the Munich University Medical
Oncology department, Germany, and
he even continues to see patients on a monthly basis.
Walter Klemp, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Moleculin commented, "As we look to
commence our clinical studies in Europe, we believe Dr. Dempke will be a
tremendous asset. Over the course of his career, he has played a
key role in clinical oncology programs and made noteworthy
contributions to the industry and academia. We are honored and
pleased to have his leadership and guidance for our European
clinical teams and help to drive these important programs
forward."
"There remains critical unmet needs across a number of oncology
indications. I have dedicated my career to advancing innovative
therapeutics that have the potential to provide patient benefit and
make a positive impact in the treatment of cancer. After overseeing
developments in the hem/onc space for more than 30 years, we are
clearly committed to our patients to bring drug candidates like
annamycin, which has the potential to become a game changer in
anthracycline development in the future to the market. Thus, I am
pleased to join the Moleculin team and help to advance their broad
portfolio of drug candidates targeting highly resistant tumors and
viruses. I am excited for the initiation of clinical studies in
Europe and further advancing
development of these important assets to meet unmet needs in the
space," added Dr. Dempke.
Prior to his current role, Dr. Dempke served as the External
Expert at Novartis Oncology Global Clinical Development (NSCLC)
(Basel, Switzerland), where he was
responsible for the development of capmatinib (c- MET inhibitor),
nazartinib (EGFRmut inhibitor), and novel compounds in Phase 1.
Prior to that, he served as the Executive Medical Director Global
Clinical Development (Head of Global Clinical Development in EU) at
Incyte Biosciences; Head, Global Medical Affairs for EUSA Pharma;
and as Executive Medical Director for Kyowa Kirin Pharmaceutical
Development Ltd., where he was responsible for the global clinical
development (Phase 1-3) in the therapeutic area of leukaemias and
lymphomas (antibodies). This included the development of Phase 1/2
trials for an anti-CD123 antibody in AML, first-in-human studies
with novel immune-oncology drugs (immune checkpoint antibodies) and
support for the EMA submission of mogamulizumab based on the Phase
3 trial results. Additionally he served as the Executive Medical
Director and Global Clinical Lead (Global Medical Oncology) at
AstraZeneca. During his tenure there, he was responsible for the
global clinical development in the therapeutic area of NSCLC and
ovarian cancer (antibodies, TKIs). This included the responsibility
for the FDA submission and re-launch of gefitinib in the US
(NSCLC), the development of durvalumab for NSCLC (Phase 1/2) and
the design and execution of Phase 2/3 trials for a novel wee-1
inhibitor in ovarian carcinomas. Other career appointments include
Head of the Department of Haematology, Oncology and
Gastroenterology at the Elbland Clinic Holding; Head of Global
Medical Affairs Oncology at MerckSerono; Lead Medical Science
Manager Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb and thereafter promoted as
TA Head Oncology; Executive Medical Director of the TTG Bochum;
Head of the Medical Oncology Department of the General Hospital
Goch; Deputy Head and Acting Representative of the Medical Clinic
IV (Haematology and Oncology) at the University of Halle; and
Deputy Head of the Haematology Departments at Elisabeth Hospital in
Germany.
About Moleculin Biotech, Inc.
Moleculin Biotech,
Inc. is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on
the development of a broad portfolio of drug candidates for the
treatment of highly resistant tumors and viruses. The Company's
lead program, Annamycin is a next-generation anthracycline designed
to avoid multidrug resistance mechanisms with little to no
cardiotoxicity. Annamycin is currently in development for the
treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) lung metastases.
Additionally, the Company is developing WP1066, an
Immune/Transcription Modulator capable of inhibiting p-STAT3 and
other oncogenic transcription factors while also stimulating a
natural immune response, targeting brain tumors, pancreatic and
other cancers, and WP1220, an analog to WP1066, for the topical
treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Moleculin is also engaged
in the development of a portfolio of antimetabolites, including
WP1122 for the potential treatment of COVID-19 and other viruses,
as well as cancer indications including brain tumors, pancreatic
and other cancers.
For more information about the Company, please visit
www.moleculin.com and connect on Twitter, LinkedIn and
Facebook.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in
this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and
uncertainties. Although Moleculin believes that the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of
the date made, expectations may prove to have been materially
different from the results expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Moleculin has attempted to identify
forward-looking statements by terminology including ''believes,''
''estimates,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,''
''projects,'' ''intends,'' ''potential,'' ''may,'' ''could,''
''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''approximately'' or other words
that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify
these forward-looking statements. These statements are only
predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and
other factors, including those discussed under Item 1A. "Risk
Factors" in our most recently filed Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and updated from time to
time in our Form 10-Q filings and in our other public filings with
the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release
speak only as of its date. We undertake no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect
events or circumstances occurring after its date or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.
Investor Contact:
JTC Team, LLC
Jenene Thomas
(833) 475-8247
MBRX@jtcir.com
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SOURCE Moleculin Biotech, Inc.