– USA, MA – Agilis Biotherapeutics, LLC (Agilis) a biotechnology company advancing innovative DNA therapeutics for rare genetic diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS), announced today that Arthur Tzianabos, Ph.D., has been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors. Dr. Tzianabos has served on the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board since June 2014 and will continue serving in this capacity. Dr. Tzianabos brings extensive experience to the boardroom, with more than 20 years of experience in business and drug development of therapeutics in industry and academia. Dr. Tzianabos is currently President of OvaScience, Inc., a global life sciences company developing new fertility treatments. Prior to his leadership role at OvaScience, Dr. Tzianabos was Senior Vice President and Head, Research and Early Development.at Shire Human Genetic Therapies.
“We are very pleased to have Dr. Tzianabos join the Agilis Board,” said Mark Pykett, V.M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Agilis. “Arthur is widely recognized as a successful life sciences leader with exceptional credentials in cultivating companies and transforming science into breakthrough treatments for patients. Arthur is a member of our Scientific Advisory Board where his expertise in rare diseases has been of great benefit in advancing our gene therapy programs for diseases of the central nervous system. As a member of the Board of Directors, we look forward to further benefiting from his expertise, insights and knowledge that will help us build a successful life sciences business.”
Dr. Tzianabos joined Shire in 2005 as Senior Director, Discovery Research and was instrumental in establishing the Discovery Research group and played a leading role in the expansion of Shire HGT research pipeline shortly after the acquisition of TKT by Shire. In 2008, Arthur became the VP of Program Management and was responsible for the management of the cross-functional Program teams that oversaw Development programs from the pre-clinical phase through commercialization. In 2010, Dr. Tzianabos became SVP and Head of Research and Early Development, overseeing the translation of new scientific discoveries to clinical applications in patients with rare diseases. Prior to joining Shire, Dr. Tzianabos was an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and maintained laboratories at the Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Harvard Medical School. He was a faculty member since 1992. In addition, Dr. Tzianabos served as a consultant to several biotechnology companies, including Genzyme Corporation and Eli Lilly. He has published more than 80 scientific papers, reviews, book chapters and patents. Dr. Tzianabos holds a B.S. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Microbiology.
“I am pleased to join Agilis’ Board of Directors and expand my role with the Company at this exciting stage of its growth,” said Dr. Tzianabos. “I look forward to continuing to assist Agilis in its efforts to advance novel therapies for rare genetic diseases, such as Friedreich’s Ataxia and Angelman Syndrome, and to now also help with the Company’s strategic development.”
About Agilis Biotherapeutics, LLC
Agilis is advancing innovative DNA therapeutics designed to provide long-term efficacy for patients with debilitating, often fatal, rare genetic diseases that affect the central nervous system. Our therapies are engineered to impart sustainable clinical benefit, and potentially a functional cure, by inducing persistent expression of a therapeutic gene. The Company’s technology is aimed at the precise targeting and restoration of lost gene function, while avoiding unintended off-target effects. Our integrated strategy increases the efficiency of developing DNA therapeutics to advance safe, targeted gene therapies more rapidly that achieve long-term efficacy and enable patients to remain asymptomatic without continuous invasive treatment. Agilis’ lead programs are focused on gene therapy for Friedreich’s Ataxia and Angelman Syndrome, rare genetic diseases that include severe neurological deficits and result in a physically debilitating condition. Friedreich’s Ataxia is the most common hereditary ataxia, with an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 patients in the U.S. There are an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people living with Angelman Syndrome in the US.
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