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| METABOLEX
APPOINTS DAVID B. KARPF, M.D. AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
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HAYWARD,
CA (February 9, 2004): Metabolex, Inc., a privately
held pharmaceutical firm that discovers and develops drugs
to treat diabetes and related metabolic diseases, today announced
the appointment of David B. Karpf, M.D. as chief medical officer,
effective January 30, 2004. Dr. Karpf joins Metabolex from
Geron Corporation, where he served as executive medical director,
clinical and regulatory affairs since 2001. |
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| “We are very
pleased to welcome David to the Metabolex team,” said
Harold Van Wart, Ph.D., Metabolex president and chief executive
officer. “He has considerable expertise in guiding the
clinical development of novel therapeutics, both at growing
biotechnology firms and within large pharmaceutical companies.
In particular, as executive director of clinical research at
Roche Global Development, he oversaw the clinical development
of that company’s Endocrine/Metabolic portfolio. This
experience will be invaluable to both the continued development
of our lead compound, metaglidasen, and to advancing the development
of Metabolex’s growing pipeline of drug candidates for
the treatment of diabetes.” |
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| Dr.
Karpf brings to Metabolex extensive experience in clinical product
development, including successful interactions with the FDA
and international regulatory agencies. While at Geron, Dr. Karpf
oversaw the development of several early preclinical compounds
as well as a cancer vaccine in a Phase I/II clinical trial.
He was also responsible for medical/regulatory oversight for
Geron’s programs. Prior to Geron Dr. Karpf was vice president,
clinical and regulatory affairs at Calydon, Inc. Prior to his
tenure at Calydon, Dr. Karpf was executive director of clinical
research at Roche Global Development in Palo Alto and was responsible
for clinical development activities in metabolic bone disease
and endocrinology. From 1991 to 1996, Dr. Karpf was director
of clinical research at Merck Research Laboratories in Rahway,
New Jersey. During his time at Merck he designed, monitored,
and completed Phase 2, 3 and 4 clinical trials on Fosamax™
and played a pivotal role in the successful NDA and launch of
this product. In addition to his industry experience, Dr. Karpf
has held several academic positions and is currently a clinical
associate professor with the Stanford University School of Medicine,
where he directs one of the endocrine subspecialty clinics.
He received his M.D. degree from University of California, San
Diego, served on the fulltime endocrine faculty at UCSF School
of Medicine, and has published numerous scientific papers and
abstracts in the fields of endocrinology and bone disease. |
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| About
Metabolex |
Metabolex, Inc.
is a privately held pharmaceutical company dedicated to the
discovery and development of drugs to treat diabetes and related
metabolic disorders. The company’s lead compound, metaglidasen,
is a novel insulin sensitizer in Phase I-II clinical development.
Metabolex has also built a portfolio of other potential diabetes
therapeutics, which includes a product candidate in preclinical
development and various programs optimizing lead drug candidates.
Additionally, Metabolex has two target discovery programs
that have produced one of the world’s largest databases
of diabetes-expressed genes. One of these programs, in insulin
secretion, is partnered with Pfizer. The other, in insulin
resistance, is partnered with Astellas Pharma Inc.
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| Contacts: |
For Media: |
Mark Bagnall
Metabolex Senior Vice President
Chief Finance and Operations Officer
(510) 293-8800
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Joan Kureczka (415) 821-2413
Kureczka/Martin Associates
Jkureczka@aol.com |
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