WALTHAM,
Mass., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Syndax
Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SNDX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies,
today announced the appointment of Aleksandra Rizo, M.D.,
Ph.D., to its Board of Directors. Dr. Rizo has extensive
clinical development experience and a track record of successfully
leading the development of several hematology drugs from discovery
through commercialization. She will serve as a member of the
Science and Technology Committee of the Board. Dr. Rizo will
replace Dr. Briggs Morrison who will
step down effective May 14, 2024
after a successful 9-year tenure as a member of the Company's Board
of Directors.
"On behalf of the Board, we are delighted to welcome Aleksandra
to Syndax and look forward to the valuable perspectives she will
bring," said Dennis Podlesak,
Chairman of Syndax's Board of Directors. "Aleksandra is an
accomplished biopharmaceutical executive and experienced
hematologist who has led development and contributed to the launch
of several important hematology drugs. We are confident
that Aleksandra's background and experience will enable her to
make significant contributions as Syndax transitions to a fully
integrated commercial stage organization with the potential to
launch two novel treatments for patients and physicians in
2024."
Mr. Podlesak added, "I also would like to thank Briggs for his
many years of leadership and numerous contributions. He was
instrumental in helping build Syndax into the world-class oncology
company that it is today, and we wish him great success going
forward."
"Aleksandra has a deep understanding of myeloid diseases
having led several programs that include clinically differentiated
therapies across myeloma, lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia,"
said Michael A. Metzger, Chief
Executive Officer. "Her clinical development experience and
guidance will be invaluable to Syndax as we maximize the
opportunity for the launch and future development of our two first-
and best-in-class medicines."
"I am excited to join Syndax's Board at this transformative time
for the company. Revumenib and axatilimab are approaching potential
approval and I believe that both have the clinical profiles to
become the new standard of care within their disease areas and
expand into new indications," said Dr. Rizo. "As Syndax transitions
into a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company and embarks on a
new chapter, I am committed to working with the Board members and
the Executive Team to support Syndax's clinical and corporate
development plans that will set the company up for long-term
success."
Aleksandra Rizo, M.D., Ph.D.,
currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Vividion where she joined in 2023 as President, Head of Research
and Development. Previously, Dr. Rizo served as Executive Vice
President and Chief Medical Officer of Geron Corporation (Geron)
where she provided leadership and direction for all clinical and
translational efforts. Prior to joining Geron, Dr. Rizo was
Strategy and Clinical Lead at Celgene Corporation where she led
submission activities which resulted in successful NDA and MAA
approvals for Fedratinib, and participated in strategic development
activities for assets in the Myeloid Therapeutic Area, including
business development evaluations. From 2008 to 2018, Dr. Rizo
served in a number of oncology drug development functions with
increasing responsibilities at Janssen Research and Development,
LLC (Janssen), including Senior Director, Compound Development Team
Leader for the myeloid portfolio, Senior Director, Global Clinical
Leader for multiple assets, including imetelstat, Imbruvica for
mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and others. In these roles, she had
oversight and leadership responsibilities for clinical development
strategy, execution and regulatory submission activities. In
addition, Dr. Rizo was a core member of Janssen's Hematology
Strategy Team where she participated and led multiple diligence
projects.
Dr. Rizo earned an M.D. degree from the University Ss Cyril and
Methodius, Skopje, Macedonia,
where she also completed a residency in internal
medicine/hematology. Dr. Rizo obtained her Ph.D. degrees in Stem
Cell Biology from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, and the University of Tokyo in Japan.
About Syndax
Syndax Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage
biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of
cancer therapies. Highlights of the Company's pipeline include
revumenib, a highly selective menin inhibitor, and axatilimab, a
monoclonal antibody that blocks the CSF-1 receptor. For more
information, please visit www.syndax.com or follow
the Company on X (formerly
Twitter) and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate,"
"expects," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict,"
"project," "should," "will," "would" or the negative or plural of
those terms, and similar expressions (as well as other words or
expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances)
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are based on Syndax's expectations and
assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these
forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from these forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press
release include, but are not limited to, statements about the
progress, timing, clinical development and scope of clinical
trials, the reporting of clinical data for Syndax's product
candidates, and the potential use of its product candidates to
treat various cancer indications and fibrotic diseases. Many
factors may cause differences between current expectations and
actual results, including: unexpected safety or efficacy data
observed during preclinical or clinical trials; clinical trial site
activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected;
changes in expected or existing competition; changes in the
regulatory environment; failure of Syndax's collaborators to
support or advance collaborations or product candidates; and
unexpected litigation or other disputes. Other factors that may
cause Syndax's actual results to differ from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are
discussed in Syndax's filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" sections
contained therein. Except as required by law, Syndax assumes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained
herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new
information becomes available.
Syndax Contact
Sharon
Klahre
Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
sklahre@syndax.com
Tel 781.684.9827
SNDX-G
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SOURCE Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.