Edmonton, Alberta, Canada November 7, 2024. Pacylex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Pacylex) is the only clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors (NMTis) as targeted therapies for the treatment of hematologic cancers. Pacylex also offers NMTis as payloads for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for treatment of solid tumor cancers. Today, Pacylex announced that Michael Kamdar, a seasoned life science and healthcare executive with over 35 years of international leadership experience, has joined the Board of Directors.
Mr. Kamdar is an industry veteran that has done over $1.5B in business deals and raised more than $750 million from venture firms and public markets as founder, board member and leader of numerous notable life science and healthcare companies, including Molecular Assemblies, Ciclofilin Pharmaceuticals, AeenaDx, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals, Tobira Therapeutics, Avalyn Pharmaceuticals, Anadys Pharmaceuticals and Agouron Pharmaceuticals, several of which were acquired by pharmaceutical companies. He currently sits on the Strategic Advisory Board of YatiriBio.
“I am particularly excited about oral zelenirstat and the platform of antibody drug conjugate (ADC) payloads that Pacylex has available, both of which have the potential to significantly improve therapeutic outcomes for oncology patients”, said Mr. Kamdar. “I look forward to working with the Pacylex Board and management team, and the right investors and partners, to bring these novel programs through the clinic and into the oncology treatment paradigm.”
“I am delighted to welcome Michael to the board. He brings expertise and perspectives directly relevant to our discussions as we engage potential investors and partners for the exciting next stage of the company.” said Board Chairperson Dr. Cindy Jacobs.
Company co-founder Dr. John Mackey has stepped down as an Executive Director but remains the company’s Chief Medical Officer guiding clinical development of zelenirstat.
Pacylex Pharmaceuticals Contact: Michael J. Weickert
CEO, Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
P: 650-218-1840
About Pacylex Pharmaceuticals
Pacylex is the world leader in developing N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors (NMTis) as targeted therapies for the treatment of hematologic cancers and as payloads for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Pacylex is in Phase 2 with Its lead drug, Zelenirstat, the first and only clinically validated NMTi. A
Phase 1 multiple ascending dose safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics study on zelenirstat in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma and refractory solid tumors (
NCT04836195) demonstrated an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, pharmacokinetics consistent with once-daily oral dosing, and early signs of efficacy. The FDA has granted zelenirstat both Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation for AML. The US Department of Defense is supporting the initial clinical investigation of zelenirstat in AML patients. Pacylex is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, but also has an office in the San Francisco Bay area. The Cure Cancer Foundation, Alberta Cancer Foundation, and Alberta Innovates supported the initial clinical studies. For additional information, please visit
www.pacylex.com.
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