MONTVALE, N.J., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Synvista Therapeutics,
Inc. (Amex: SYI) is increasing the Company's commercial focus with the
appointment of David C. Tantillo as Senior Director, Marketing and Sales, a
newly created position. Beginning today, Mr. Tantillo will be responsible
for planning and implementing commercialization of the Company's
haptoglobin diagnostic test. Synvista expects commercial launch of this
product in mid- 2009.
Mr. Tantillo brings to Synvista nearly 20 years of broad-based industry
experience, having successfully directed programs in diabetes, oncology,
infectious disease, pain, inflammation and other therapeutic areas. His
work has included diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, as
well as health and disease management services and managed care
initiatives. His experience also includes a combination diagnostic, drug
and drug delivery device. He has overseen marketing programs for commercial
products, as well as those in early- and late-stage clinical development.
He also has been involved in several marketing and development
partnerships, as well as with new business acquisitions.
"David has a strong track record of success, and we are delighted to
welcome him to the Synvista team to initiate our first commercialization
program for our haptoglobin diagnostic," said Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Synvista Therapeutics. "We look
forward to working with David to usher in a new era for Synvista, relying
heavily on his extensive experience in bringing products to market,
specifically with testing products and in the diabetes arena."
Prior to joining Synvista, Mr. Tantillo was Director Strategic
Marketing at Alpharma Pharmaceuticals. From 2006 to 2007, he was U.S.
Marketing Director at Mayne Pharma, which was acquired by Hospira. Prior to
that, from 2004 to 2005 he was President of Pinnacle Healthcare Marketing,
an independent consultancy to the healthcare industry. Mr. Tantillo also
has held a variety of marketing and brand management positions at Becton
Dickinson, F. Hoffmann- LaRoche, Schering AG (Berlex Laboratories), Eli
Lilly and Company (PCS Health Systems) and Baxter Healthcare (Caremark
International).
Mr. Tantillo received MPH and MBA degrees from Illinois Benedictine
College, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University.
About Haptoglobin
The polymorphic haptoglobin (Hp) protein is derived from two alleles, 1
and 2, existing at the Hp genetic locus. Three phenotypes linked to the
three genotypes, Hp 1-1, Hp 1-2 and Hp 2-2, can be identified using a
proprietary ELISA assay being developed by Synvista. In multiple
independent prospective longitudinal studies of more than 20,000
individuals, it has been established that the Haptoglobin genotype is an
independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with a specific
relationship to patients with diabetes mellitus. After accounting for
conventional cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes characteristics in
these studies, research has demonstrated that there is a 2- 5 fold
increased risk of cardiovascular disease in people with both diabetes and
the Hp 2-2 genotype (approximately 40 percent of all diabetes patients).
Currently, Synvista is developing a proprietary diagnostic test to
determine haptoglobin genotype in order to identify the subset of diabetics
at greatest risk for cardiovascular disease. Since this test is designed to
determine which diabetic patients display the highest levels of oxidative
stress (Hp 2-2 individuals), it can also be used to identify the subset of
diabetics who may benefit most from potent anti-oxidizing agents, such as
SYI- 2074 (previously ALT-2074). The test also can identify which patients
may benefit from 400IU of natural vitamin E. Administration of this dose
and type of vitamin E led to a 50% reduction in non-fatal myocardial
infarction in the ICARE study, reported earlier this year. The test is
being developed to be used on current ubiquitous laboratory platforms
(e.g., ELISA), and also to be used in genetic testing labs. The test is
also being developed such that it will apply to CMS parameters for
reimbursement. Once available, the Company plans to distribute the test to
hospitals and other independent labs that have high volume customers.
To bring the most effective therapy to patients who will benefit most,
Synvista has developed an extensive intellectual property portfolio based
on utilizing haptoglobin genotyping or phenotyping to target the use of
drugs in diabetic individuals with the Hp 2-2 genotype, thereby creating an
unique product portfolio that both identifies a specific patient profile
and provides therapeutic solutions to address patients' needs.
About Synvista Therapeutics
Synvista Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs
to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease and nephropathy in people with
diabetes. The Company believes it has identified several product candidates
that represent novel approaches to some of the largest pharmaceutical
markets. The Company's portfolio includes orally bioavailable,
organoselenium mimics of glutathione peroxidase. These compounds metabolize
lipid peroxides and have the potential to limit myocardial damage
subsequent to a myocardial infarction. The Company is developing a clinical
diagnostic test, based on cardiovascular risk assessment, using Haptoglobin
characterization, to identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular
complications of diabetes.
Synvista Therapeutics is also developing alagebrium, a proposed breaker
of AGEs for the treatment of diastolic heart failure. This disease
represents a rapidly growing market of unmet medical need, particularly
common among diabetic patients. Alagebrium has demonstrated relevant
clinical activity in two Phase 2 clinical trials in heart failure, as well
as in animal models of heart failure and nephropathy, among others.
Alagebrium has been tested in approximately 1,000 patients in multiple
Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials, allowing Synvista Therapeutics to
assemble a sizeable human safety database. For more information, please
visit the Company's website at http://www.synvista.com.
Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future
plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks associated
with the events described in this press release, future clinical
development of Synvista Therapeutics' product candidates, and other risks
identified in Synvista Therapeutics' filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Further information on risks faced by Synvista are
detailed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Synvista Therapeutics' Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. These filings are
available on a website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission
at http://www.sec.gov. The information contained in this press release is
accurate as of the date indicated. Actual results, events or performance
may differ materially. Synvista Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to
publicly release the result of any revision to these forward- looking
statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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