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

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