Phoenix Molecular Designs Appoints Stephen Oh, M.D., Ph.D., to Advisory Board

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SAN DIEGO, California - VANCOUVER, British Columbia, September 27, 2024 – Phoenix Molecular Designs (PhoenixMD), a privately held, clinical-stage therapeutics company pioneering first-in-class RSK kinase inhibitors for cancer and inflammation, today announced the appointment of Stephen Oh, M.D., Ph.D., to its Advisory Board.

Dr. Oh is renowned for identifying RSK as a novel target for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). His pioneering research was published in Nature Cancer 2023 and since then he and his team have won multiple awards, and they have garnered international recognition for this groundbreaking discovery. After identifying the significance of activated RSK, highly expressed in multiple cancers, Dr. Oh proactively approached PhoenixMD, the developer of the first clinically advanced RSK inhibitor. Dr. Oh currently serves as Associate Professor of Medicine and Co-Chief of the Division of Hematology at Washington University School of Medicine. His research centers on uncovering the mechanisms that drive the development and progression of MPNs and hematologic malignancies, aiming to translate these findings into enhanced patient therapies.

RSK signaling not only drives cancer growth but also regulates inflammation—a critical factor in the persistence of myelofibrosis, a disease considered largely incurable. Dr. Oh’s research revealed RSK as a master regulator of inflammation, offering new therapeutic avenues for this challenging condition.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Stephen Oh to our Advisory Board," said Sandi Dunn, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of PhoenixMD. "His innovative research in hematology and deep clinical experience with MPNs will bring invaluable expertise to our team as we push forward in developing life-changing therapies for cancer patients worldwide."

RSK signaling drives cancer growth and inflammation. Through Dr. Oh’s research we now understand that RSK is a master regulator of inflammation which is the hallmark of myelofibrosis, a persistent disease which is currently thought to be largely incurable.  

By leveraging computational modeling and state-of-the-art medicinal chemistry, PMD-026 is a highly selective first in class and best in class inhibitor that represents an entirely new way to treat cancer. PMD-026 offers an innovative approach to cancer treatment, designed for oral administration to reduce the disruption to patients' lives compared to traditional therapies. Unlike chemotherapy, PMD-026 is a targeted therapy that spares patients from side effects like hair loss, neuropathies, and bone marrow toxicities, making it a promising option for chronic diseases like myelofibrosis.

Dr. Oh’s laboratory at Washington University uses patient samples and animal models to explore dysregulated inflammatory cytokine signaling networks in MPNs and secondary AML. His extensive publications on hematologic malignancies and his key role in clinical trials investigating novel targeted therapies for MPN patients make him a standout in the field.

"I am excited to join Phoenix Molecular Designs' Advisory Board and contribute to the company’s cutting-edge approach to cancer treatment," said Dr. Oh. "PhoenixMD's focus on RSK kinase inhibitors represents a groundbreaking direction in cancer therapeutics. I look forward to collaborating with the team to advance next-generation treatments for patients in need."

Nat Cancer. 2023 Jan;4(1):108-127

Phoenix Molecular Designs Appoints Fred Eshelman, Pharm.D., to its Board of Directors

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SAN DIEGO, California - VANCOUVER, British Columbia, September 3, 2024 – Phoenix Molecular Designs (PhoenixMD), a privately held, clinical-stage therapeutics company specializing in transformative first-in-class RSK kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment, is proud to announce the appointment of Fred Eshelman, Pharm.D., to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Eshelman’s proven visionary approach, combined with decades of executive experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, significantly supports the company’s strategic direction and growth trajectory. His appointment comes at a pivotal time as PhoenixMD begins its Phase 2 clinical trial, Dauntless-1, evaluating the safety and efficacy of PMD-026, a first-in-class RSK kinase inhibitor in patients with metastatic HR+ breast cancer in combination with fulvestrant. 

“This is an exciting time to be joining the Board of Phoenix Molecular Designs,” said Dr. Eshelman. “The company’s innovative approach to precision oncology and its dedication to developing targeted therapies for cancer patients are truly inspiring. I look forward to working with the team to support their groundbreaking research and development efforts.”

Dr. Eshelman is a leader with unwavering perseverance, a serial entrepreneur and a builder of companies. Following an executive tenure at Glaxo, he founded PPD, Inc, a CRO which grew to provide R&D services worldwide and was sold to private equity in 2011. That same year he founded Furiex Pharma, a company that in-licensed early-stage compounds and developed them to an approvable stage. Furiex was sold to Actavis in 2014. Dr. Eshelman then founded a private investment company, Eshelman Ventures LLC, specializing in healthcare with an emphasis on oncology. He served as Chairman of one of the portfolio companies, The Medicines Company, which was sold to Novartis. Beyond his talent for building companies, he is a dedicated mentor and renowned philanthropist, committed to fostering innovation through education.

“We are thrilled to welcome Fred Eshelman to our Board of Directors,” said Sandra Dunn, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Molecular Designs. “Fred’s unparalleled expertise in pharmaceutical development and his proven track record of fostering innovation and growth will be invaluable as we advance our mission to develop breakthrough treatments for cancer patients.”

Phoenix Molecular Designs is at the forefront of oncology innovation, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and research to develop targeted therapies that address unmet medical needs. The addition of Dr. Eshelman to the Board underscores the company’s commitment to excellence and its focus on driving significant advancements in cancer treatment.

To learn more about Fred Eshelman, visit PhoenixMD.

Phoenix Molecular Designs Welcomes Leena Das-Young, Pharm.D. and Steve Potts, Ph.D., MBA to its Board of Directors

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SAN DIEGO, California - VANCOUVER, British Columbia, September 6, 2023 - Phoenix Molecular Designs (PhoenixMD), a leading clinical-stage therapeutics company specializing in first-in-class RSK kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment, is proud to announce the addition of Leena Das-Young, Pharm.D. and Steve Potts, Ph.D., MBA to its board of directors. This strategic announcement underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging diverse expertise and insights in its development of Phase 2 clinical trials.

“We are delighted to bring Leena and Steve on board,” said Sandi Dunn, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Phoenix Molecular Designs. "Their profound expertise and strategic insight will be invaluable as we develop our research and operational trajectory. Our ultimate aim remains steadfast: enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients through targeted RSK kinase inhibitor therapies.”

PMD-026, one of the company's leading compounds, has shown significant efficacy in treating breast cancer, especially those resistant to CDK4/6 inhibitors as well as triple- negative breast cancers (TNBC). Its potential also spans across a variety of solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

Joining the board, Leena Das-Young said, "It's a privilege to align with Phoenix Molecular Designs, a company at the forefront of oncology innovation. I am thrilled to be joining this impressive Board of Directors. Sandi's drive to pioneer a new precision target for breast cancer is laudable. I look forward to sharing my experience to support the company's mission to advance novel cancer treatments."

Steve Potts added, "PhoenixMD's focus on precision oncology, especially around RSK kinase inhibitors, resonates deeply with my professional experience. Together, I believe our collaborative efforts will result in significant milestones, particularly as we approach Phase 2 clinical trials."

The addition of Leena Das-Young and Steve Potts to Phoenix Molecular Designs' board heralds an exciting phase for the company, reinforcing its commitment to innovative cancer treatments.

About Leena Das-Young

This strategic announcement underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging diverse expertise and insights in its development of Phase 2 clinical trials. Leena Das-Young is a seasoned executive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. She currently serves as the CEO of an emerging stealth biotechnology company dedicated to precision immuno-oncology. In parallel, Leena is the Managing Partner at Emerald Bioventures, where her focus lies in fostering innovation within oncology, immunology, and women’s health. She also presides over RaniBio, a consultancy recognized for its contributions to biotech and health tech companies. Prior to her current roles, Leena served as the General Manager of the Early Cancer Detection unit at Guardant Health. Her extensive tenure at Pfizer Oncology, spanning 15 years, is particularly noteworthy. As the Vice President and Head of the Late Phase Development Group, she was entrusted with a vast portfolio, encompassing 13 distinct assets and oversight of more than 300 clinical trials. Under her leadership, Pfizer realized the successful development and subsequent approval of several new cancer medicines, including Ibrance, Xalkori, Lorbrena, Sutent, Mylotarg, and Talzenna, among others. Furthermore, she played a pivotal role in attaining six breakthrough therapy designations (BTDs) and establishing two novel surrogate clinical endpoints in RCC and AML, further cementing Pfizer's reputation in innovative cancer drug development.

Her commercial acumen has been demonstrated through significant roles both at Pfizer and Bayer. Leena oversaw the market launch of Sutent, propelling it to exceed $1B in sales. Equally impressive was her strategic redirection of Cipro oral, which saw its revenue surge from $600m to approximately $1B.

Leena’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Purdue University.

About Steve Potts

For more than 25 years, Steve has been an influential figure in oncology, demonstrating expertise in diverse areas from medical affairs and product development to sales, marketing, and general management.

In 2018, Steve founded OncoMyx, an immunotherapy company that stands out for its multiple therapeutic arming approach. Under his leadership, OncoMyx secured $75M in venture funding. Before this endeavor, Steve served as the Vice President of Medical Affairs at Ignyta, a company later acquired by Roche/Genentech for a substantial $1.7B. At Ignyta, he orchestrated the expansive testing of entrectinib in an oncology basket trial that spanned 15 countries and involved molecular testing over 20,000 patients. The ROS1 & TRK kinase inhibitor, under Roche's banner, achieved industry-firsts: breakthrough designations in the USA, Europe, and Japan, and concurrent global registrational trials for both adults and children.

Steve's entrepreneurial aptitude was also evident when he bootstrapped Flagship Bio. As its founding CEO, he grew the company to 75 employees and secured a strong financial return upon its exit. The company's innovative platform in digital pathology image analysis played a pivotal supportive role in the approval of a pioneering gene therapy drug for muscular dystrophy. Steve's leadership also shone at Aperio, which was acquired by Danaher for $180M. There, he and his team revolutionized the industry by standardizing

the use of digital pathology in trials, guiding pharmaceutical companies, and achieving 510k approvals for three separate companies' image analysis IHC FDA 510k medical device clearances. Before Aperio, Steve established the Bioinformatics Department at Quest Diagnostics, now the premier clinical diagnostics testing laboratory in the U.S.

Steve holds a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering and an MBA from the University of California Davis, accompanied by a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Wheaton College, Illinois. He's contributed to over 30 publications and is the lead author of Molecular Histopathology and Image Analysis in Drug Development.

About Phoenix Molecular Designs

PhoenixMD is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company designing precise cancer therapeutics and companion diagnostics by targeting kinases, a class of highly druggable enzymes to treat a wide range of oncology indications. PhoenixMD is focused on developing first-in-class inhibitors against RSK, an important drug target for cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. The company's leadership team boasts previous expertise in developing FDA-approved and marketed drugs for breast cancer. Due to PhoenixMD's emerging leadership in kinase inhibition, the company has partnered with well-recognized government and academic research institutions, including the National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Kyushu University (Japan) and the University of Tuebingen (Germany). PhoenixMD has clinical headquarters in San Diego, CA, and preclinical operations in Vancouver, BC. For more information, visit phoenixmd.ca.

Leader in Breast Cancer First-in-Class Drug Development, Martin S. Olivo, MD, MSc, joins Phoenix Molecular Designs Advisory Board

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SAN DIEGO and VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Phoenix Molecular Designs (PhoenixMD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing precise cancer therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Martin S. Olivo, MD, MSc to its advisory board. Dr. Olivo is a world-renowned biotech executive and proven leader throughout the development lifecycle of multiple oncology therapeutics.

Dr. Olivo brings to PhoenixMD nearly two decades of experience in oncology clinical research and global drug development, leading coveted roles such as the current Chief Medical Officer at SystImmune and previously serving as Vice President, Breast Cancer Clinical Development Lead at Gilead Sciences, Inc. Prior to this he was the Vice President Clinical Development at Immunomedics, Inc. which developed Trodelvy, the most recent drug approved for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). His expertise will support PhoenixMD in the advancement of their first-in-class, purpose-built kinase inhibitor, PMD-026, which targets RSK2 in TNBC. 

Beyond TNBC, PMD-026 has activity in hormone-positive breast cancer, in particular those that develop resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors, and a range of solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

"I'm excited about the contribution that Dr. Olivo will make to our advisory board – he is a highly accomplished medical oncologist that has already achieved a remarkable amount in the progression of oncology therapeutics. I am motivated by our growing leadership team and determined to make a difference in the lives of patients who face this hard-hitting disease," said Dr. Sandi Dunn, Founder and CEO of Phoenix Molecular Designs. "This is a pivotal time to join PhoenixMD as we move forward with a Phase 2 clinical trial developing a precision therapeutic for the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, TNBC."

"PhoenixMD's targeted approach combined with the team's deep oncology knowledge and research is a solid foundation and the reason I am elated to be joining their advisory board," said Dr. Olivo. "I am encouraged by the results seen from PhoenixMD's Phase 1 trial and I am looking forward to supporting Sandi's vision to be the first to develop an RSK inhibitor to precisely treat cancer. I am confident that our streamlined approach of making a positive impact on patients' lives will yield great results."

With PMD-026, PhoenixMD is committed to making hope a reality and changing the odds in helping the thousands of women faced with metastatic breast cancer each year.

About Martin S. Olivo, MD, MSc

Dr. Olivo is the Chief Medical Officer at SystImmune, where he leads all oncology clinical efforts outside of China. Prior to joining SystImmune, he served as Chief Medical Officer for Protara Therapeutics, Inc. Before these roles, Dr. Olivo led clinical efforts in metastatic breast cancer therapeutics development as the Vice President of Clinical Development at Gilead Sciences, Inc., formerly Immunomedics, Inc. which was acquired in 2020 for $21B. Earlier, Dr. Olivo served as the Global Clinical Lead at Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise, where he established a comprehensive clinical development plan for an early-stage oncology product candidate with applications in lung and breast cancer. Prior to that, Dr. Olivo served in several roles with increasing responsibilities in the oncology group at Eisai Inc., where he was the International Program Team Leader for Halaven, a major drug now used to treat breast cancer.

Dr. Olivo received his M.D. from the University of Buenos Aires and his M.S. in Clinical and Pharmacological Research from Austral University in Buenos Aires. He completed advanced training as a Clinical Oncologist at the University of Salvador. Dr. Olivo then held various academic and clinical positions at the School of Medicine at the University of Buenos Aires, Hospital "Dr. Enrique Tornú" and the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

About Phoenix Molecular Designs

PhoenixMD is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company designing precise cancer therapeutics and companion diagnostics by targeting kinases, a class of highly druggable enzymes to treat a wide range of oncology indications. PhoenixMD is focused on developing first-in-class inhibitors against RSK, an important drug target for cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. The company's leadership team boasts previous expertise in developing FDA-approved and marketed drugs for breast cancer. Due to PhoenixMD's emerging leadership in kinase inhibition, the company has partnered with well-recognized government and academic research institutions, including the National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Kyushu University (Japan) and the University of Tuebingen (Germany). PhoenixMD has clinical headquarters in San Diego, CA, and preclinical operations in Vancouver, BC. For more information, visit phoenixmd.ca

Phoenix Molecular Designs Successfully Completes Patient Enrollment in Phase 1/1b Clinical Trial of PMD-026

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Feb. 9
2022

SAN DIEGO and VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Phoenix Molecular Designs (PhoenixMD), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing precise cancer therapeutics, today announced the completion of patient enrollment and dosing of PMD-026 in their Phase 1b monotherapy clinical trial. The successful completion of patient enrollment in this Phase 1/1b trial is an important step forward for PhoenixMD as they advance PMD-026 into Phase 2 combination trials for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hormone-positive breast cancer.

Breast cancer is now the most commonly-diagnosed cancer across the globe, and despite continued advancements in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, more than 43,000 women are estimated to die from the disease in 2022 in the U.S.1,2. Moreover, for TNBC, a subtype of breast cancer with less favorable outcomes, there are limited targeted cancer therapies based on a biomarker selection3. With PMD-026, PhoenixMD is committed to changing the odds in helping patients live longer.

"This is an important and exciting day for PhoenixMD. The completion of patient enrollment in our Phase 1b clinical trial brings us closer to our ultimate goal of developing a therapeutic that will bring a clinically meaningful improvement to the lives of thousands of people living with TNBC," said Dr. Sandra E. Dunn, Founder and CEO of Phoenix Molecular Designs. "We are making hope a reality as the PhoenixMD team has developed the first uniquely-engineered kinase inhibitor for TNBC based on RSK2 as a biomarker for patient selection."

PhoenixMD's lead asset, PMD-026, is a proprietary first-in-class orally-available RSK (kinase) inhibitor that was developed as a potential solution to attack difficult to treat cancers such as TNBC. RSK has a unique mechanism of disease that remains active despite patients failing chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies. By targeting RSK, PhoenixMD aims to develop more durable approaches to cancer treatment in the future.

The Company's Phase 1/1b clinical trial was conducted at nine leading cancer centers across the United States. The primary endpoints were to ensure safety and tolerability and establish the recommended Phase 2 dosing schedule of PMD-026 in patients. A major secondary endpoint was to assess whether the level of RSK2 expression in tumors was indicative of better patient outcomes using the companion diagnostic. A total of 41 patients were dosed with PMD-026 twice daily continuously.

"Our precision medicine approach has always been patient-centred with the aim of developing a therapeutic that can be easy for patients to take with limited side effects. Throughout the 14 month trial, the safety profile of PMD-026 remains well-tolerated. PMD-026 does not cause hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, or decreased blood counts, which are common side effects of breast cancer therapies," said Andrew Dorr, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Phoenix Molecular Designs. "This positions PMD-026 as a drug that can easily be combined with other drugs. I look forward to the exciting combination trials PhoenixMD has planned ahead."

"Our goal to use our companion diagnostic to select patients who have the best chance to respond to PMD-026 treatment has come one step closer. Based on interim data, the retrospective analysis of the RSK2 tumor levels in this study indicated that patients with high RSK2 benefited from PMD-026 better than patients with lower RSK2 tumor levels. Breast cancer patients taking PMD-026 with high RSK2 tumor expression had three times longer progression-free survival (PFS) compared to patients with low RSK2. PFS in the RSK2 high group was 3.3 months which is nearly double that of chemotherapy historical controls in an earlier line of treatment4. This was remarkable considering patients had a median of five prior lines of therapy. We look forward to the topline data release from the Phase 1b trial tentatively in the second quarter of this year," said Dr. Dunn. "I would like to thank all of the patients and their families for their involvement and commitment in this trial, and to the investigators and our outstanding team, whose dedication and groundbreaking expertise have let us achieve these important high points."

For more information about the Company's Phase 1b clinical trial of PMD-026, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT04115306).

About PMD-026
PhoenixMD's lead candidate, PMD-026, is the first RSK inhibitor being developed for the treatment of TNBC. It is a pill that is convenient for patients as opposed to intravenous delivery, the mode most commonly used to deliver chemotherapy. PMD-026 was designed for TNBC because RSK2 was specifically identified as the key kinase that drives the growth of this breast cancer subtype5, 6. PMD-026 is well-tolerated in breast cancer patients and can stop tumor growth for up to 5 months based on Phase 1 data. PFS in women with TNBC is three times longer for patients that express high levels of RSK2 activation as compared to those with low RSK2 activation. Preclinical data shows PMD-026 has the potential to be a platform technology for chemotherapy, hormone therapy and/or immunotherapy sensitization for a wide range of refractory cancers in the future. 

About Phoenix Molecular Designs
PhoenixMD is a privately-held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company designing precise cancer therapeutics and companion diagnostics by targeting kinases, a class of highly druggable enzymes to treat a wide range of oncology indications. PhoenixMD is focused on developing first-in-class inhibitors against RSK, an important drug target for cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. The company's leadership team boasts previous expertise in developing FDA-approved and marketed drugs for breast cancer. Due to PhoenixMD's emerging leadership in kinase inhibition, the company has partnered with well-recognized government and academic research institutions, including the National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Kyushu University (Japan) and the University of Tuebingen (Germany). PhoenixMD has clinical headquarters in San Diego, CA, and preclinical operations in Vancouver, BC. For more information, visit phoenixmd.ca

References
1https://www.who.int/news/item/03-02-2021-breast-cancer-now-most-common-form-of-cancer-who-taking-action
2https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics
3https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp/breast-treatment-pdq#_1489_toc
4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33741442/
5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21984977/
6 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22674792/

Phoenix Molecular Designs CEO and Founder, Dr. Sandra E. Dunn, Awarded a Place on the Forbes 50 over 50 Vision List for Her Life's Work in Cancer Research

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Aug. 12 2021

SAN DIEGO, California - VANCOUVER, British Columbia - August 12, 2020, Forbes announced today that Dr. Sandra Dunn, CEO and Founder of Phoenix Molecular Designs (PhoenixMD), has been awarded a coveted place on its inaugural 50 Over 50 Vision list. The list highlights the exceptional women who are shaping the future of science, technology and art. These 50 recipients were selected as visionaries who are leaving a lasting impression on society and culture.

In 2012, Dr. Dunn founded Phoenix Molecular Designs, where she identified a unique approach to treating triple-negative breast cancer developing novel drugs around kinases, specifically p90 ribosomal S6 kinases (RSK). PhoenixMD is one of the few female-led biotechnology companies aimed at eradicating breast cancer. Sandra is breaking the mold of biotechnology companies, inspiring women, encouraging diversity and putting patient care first.

She is a leading figure in the breast cancer biotechnology industry with 28 years of breast cancer R&D experience. Personal experiences with the disease in her family motivate her to commit her life to empower and improve the lives of thousands of women battling breast cancer globally.

"It is a great honor for me to be named one of the top 50 women on the Forbes first 50 over 50 Vision list. I am grateful to be included with this group of exceptional women who have given and accomplished so much in shaping the future of science, art and technology," said Dr. Dunn. "It is truly my life's work to bring an end to metastatic breast cancer. To be acknowledged in this way makes me even more determined to see my company, PhoenixMD, develop highly successful therapies which result in a brighter future for the patients we serve."

Sandra has led multinational oncology research projects to advance the development of novel cancer therapeutics and has built amazing teams to achieve these goals. For three decades, she has raised millions of dollars to fund cancer research and served on the Susan Komen Foundation, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (USA). She was the youngest member of the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program in the early 1990s and was recognized early on for her commitment to the field as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health.

The Forbes 50 Over 50 Vision List was created in partnership with Mika Brzezinski's "Know Your Value" campaign. These much sought-after lists are dedicated to highlighting the exceptional achievements of women over the age of 50 who have gained significant success later in their careers, often overcoming formidable odds or barriers.

About Phoenix Molecular Designs
PhoenixMD is a privately-held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company designing precise cancer therapeutics and companion diagnostics by targeting kinases, a class of highly druggable enzymes to treat a wide range of oncology indications. PhoenixMD is focused on developing first-in-class inhibitors against RSK, an important drug target for cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. The company's leadership team boasts previous expertise in developing FDA-approved and marketed drugs in oncology. Due to PhoenixMD's emerging leadership in kinase inhibition, the company has entered into partnerships with multiple government and academic research institutions, including the National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Kyushu University (Japan), University of Tuebingen (Germany), as well as multiple patient advocacy groups including the Susan G. Komen Foundation in San Diego. PhoenixMD has clinical headquarters in San Diego, CA, and preclinical operations in Vancouver, BC. For more information, visit phoenixmd.ca

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Contact
Morgan Consaul
Marketing and Communications Manager
Phoenix Molecular Designs
mconsaul@phoenixmd.ca
604 762-6443

Phoenix Molecular Designs Appoints V.K. Gadi, M.D., Ph.D. and Naoto Tada Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P. to its Advisory Board

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Jul. 29
2021

SAN DIEGO, California - VANCOUVER, British Columbia - July 29, 2021, Phoenix Molecular Designs (PhoenixMD), a clinical-stage therapeutics company dedicated to developing precise cancer therapeutics focusing on first-in-class RSK kinase inhibitors, announced the appointment of V.K. Gadi, M.D., Ph.D. and Naoto Tada Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P. to its advisory board.

"We are excited to welcome breast cancer industry leaders, Dr. Gadi and Dr. Ueno, to our growing advisory board," said Dr. Sandra E. Dunn, CEO and Founder of Phoenix Molecular Designs. "I am impressed with their approach to precision medicine and providing expert care to patients. Together, they bring over 50 years of critical discoveries in breast cancer biology, immunology and diagnostics that will support Phoenix Molecular Designs in the development of our lead asset being studied in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)."

"This is a pivotal time to join Phoenix Molecular Designs as they fine-tune their approach to cultivate therapeutics for the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, TNBC," said Dr. Gadi. "I am confident that in our work together, we will make great strides in developing a therapeutic that will help thousands."

PhoenixMD continues to pursue its advanced pipeline of precision oncology medicines ensuring that patient care is first and foremost in every decision.

About Dr. Gadi

Dr. Gadi is a Medical Advisor and Co-Founder of SEngine Precision Medicine. He is a Director of Medical Oncology and Associate Director of Translational Medicine at the University of Illinois Cancer Center at Chicago. Before joining U.I.C., Dr. Gadi was an Associate Member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Clinical Research and Public Health Sciences Divisions and an Associate Professor at the University of Washington, Division of Oncology. Dr. Gadi is a board-certified medical oncologist with a specialty in breast cancer.

He has 30 years of experience in cancer research and expertise in clinical care, clinical oncology, and translational breast cancer research. His research interests include breast and hematologic malignancies, immunogenetics and immunotherapy for solid tumors, and the development of cell-based therapies for cancer. He is a pioneer in the use of patient-derived organoids for both drug target discovery and functional drug screening for patient care.

Dr. Gadi received his M.D. and Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Washington and his oncology fellowship at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Gadi also holds a B.Sc. in Biology/Biological Sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

About Dr. Ueno

Dr. Ueno is a tenured Professor of Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is the Executive Director of the Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Program and Clinic and Section Chief of the Translational Breast Cancer Research Department at the Department of Breast Medical Oncology. His research focuses on inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)/TNBC and the molecular mechanism of metastasis and cancer microenvironment in breast cancer. He is best known for his various preclinical development and biomarkers, which led to novel investigator-initiated clinical trials related to breast cancer.

The projects in his laboratory include elucidating the role and the underlying mechanism of several signalling pathways, including epidermal growth factor receptor, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF- beta), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and Axl receptor tyrosine kinase, in promoting the progression of TNBC and IBC.

He received his M.D. from Wakayama Medical College in Wakayama, Japan and received his Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from the Graduate School of Biomedical Science at the University of Texas. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and accomplished a medical oncology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Ueno received the Nylene Eckles Distinguished Professorship of Breast Cancer Research in 2012, the University of Texas System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award for his mentoring contributions in 2014 and the MD Anderson Distinguished Clinical Faculty Mentor Award in 2019.

Dr. Ueno receives compensation as a member of PhoenixMD’s advisory board, and this financial relationship has been disclosed to MD Anderson’s Conflict of Interest Committee in accordance with institutional policy.

 About Phoenix Molecular Designs
PhoenixMD is a privately-held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company designing precise cancer therapeutics and companion diagnostics by targeting kinases, a class of highly druggable enzymes to treat a wide range of oncology indications. PhoenixMD is focused on developing first-in-class inhibitors against RSK, an important drug target for cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. The company's leadership team boasts previous expertise in developing FDA-approved and marketed drugs in oncology. Due to PhoenixMD's emerging leadership in kinase inhibition, the company has entered into partnerships with multiple government and academic research institutions, including the National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson, Kyushu University (Japan), University of Tuebingen (Germany), as well as patient advocates, such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation in San Diego. PhoenixMD has clinical headquarters in San Diego, CA, and preclinical operations in Vancouver, BC. For more information, visit phoenixmd.ca

Phoenix Molecular Designs Appoints Biotech Powerhouse, Michael Varney, Ph.D., to its Advisory Board

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Mar. 29
2021

SAN DIEGO and VANCOUVER, BC, Mar 29 2021 - PhoenixMD announces the appointment of Mike Varney, Ph.D. to its advisory board. Dr. Varney is a pioneer in drug discovery and a global biotech leader. He has successfully led drug discovery teams at Agouron (acquired by Pfizer), Pfizer and Genentech in developing some of the leading anticancer drugs currently on the market.

Read the story here

World-Renowned Cancer Researcher, Dr. Alan Ashworth, Joins Phoenix Molecular Designs Advisory Board

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Feb. 04
2021

SAN DIEGO and VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 4, 2021 - PhoenixMD, an industry leader in the development of precise cancer therapeutics focusing on first-in-class RSK kinase inhibitors, today announced the appointment of Dr. Alan Ashworth PhD, FRS to their Advisory Board as a Scientific Advisor.

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Phoenix Molecular Designs Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1b Clinical Trial of PMD-026 Taking Aim at Triple Negative Breast Cancer

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Nov. 24
2020

SAN DIEGO and VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 24, 2020 - PhoenixMD today announced that the first patient has been dosed in their Phase 1b clinical trial of PMD-026. This RSK targeting trial is a first of its kind in the battle to combat the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, known as Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), which claims the lives of thousands of patients each year.

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Phoenix Molecular Designs Initiates its Phase 1/1b Program to Evaluate PMD-026 in Patients with Resistant Forms of Advanced Breast Cancer

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Nov. 20
2019

SAN DIEGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 20, 2019 - PhoenixMD announced today that it has dosed the first patient in its Phase 1/1b study of PMD-026, a proprietary first-in-class orally-available RSK (kinase) inhibitor for the potential treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer and, more specifically, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

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Phoenix Molecular Designs Receives FDA Clearance to Begin Phase 1/1b Clinical Trial with PMD-026, a First-in-Class RSK Inhibitor, Targeting Advanced Breast Cancer

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Sep. 23
2019

SAN DIEGO, and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2019 - PhoenixMD received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its proprietary PMD-026. That clearance permits PhoenixMD to begin patient enrollment into its Phase 1/1b clinical trial, which is expected to start in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2019.

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Phoenix Molecular Designs and WuXi STA Reach Drug Supply Milestone to Support Phase I/Ib Study of PMD-026 for TNBC

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Jun. 04
2019

VANCOUVER, British Columbia and SAN DIEGO, June 4, 2019 - In March 2018, PhoenixMD and STA Pharmaceutical (WuXi STA) entered into a major manufacturing agreement, and have since produced a multi kilogram drug supply for PMD-026 under GMP manufacturing practices. This represents a significant milestone, accelerating PhoenixMD's Phase I readiness.

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REDUCING R(I)SK IN TNBC

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Feb. 07
2019

VANCOUVER, British Columbia and SAN DIEGO, Feb. 07 2019 - Phoenix Molecular Designs could provide triple-negative breast cancer its first molecular marker to turn the intractable indication from a group of have-nots to a group of haves. With early evidence that RSK2 is activated in 80% of TNBC tumors, Phoenix aims to develop a targeted therapeutic, and has partnered with Roche on a companion diagnostic.

Read the story on BioCentury here

Phoenix Molecular Designs Announces Collaboration To Develop Diagnostic for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

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Jan. 16
2019

VANCOUVER, British Columbia and SAN DIEGO, Jan. 16 2019 - We're excited to announce our collaboration with Roche to develop a companion diagnostic (CDx) in TNBC. The Roche/PhoenixMD CDx will measure activated RSK2 in human tumors and will identify patients that will ultimately benefit from our drug PMD-026.

Read the full story on PR Newswire here