WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE ), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, today announced the appointment of Jane E. Huang, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer, Hematology. Dr. Huang will lead the global clinical development of BGB-3111, BeiGene’s BTK inhibitor, and the expanding pipeline of other agents expected to enter clinical development in hematological malignancies and disorders. Dr. Eric Hedrick, who served as the Interim Chief Medical Officer, will remain with BeiGene in an advisory role as the company continues to expand its global clinical development capabilities.
“We are very pleased to have Dr. Huang join our senior leadership team,” said John V. Oyler, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of BeiGene. “It is an exciting time of growth for us at BeiGene as we bring forth BGB-3111, our BTK inhibitor, into late-stage development and seek to expand our portfolio of agents in hematology. Jane brings a wealth of very relevant clinical development expertise as we continue our pursuit of bringing novel therapies to cancer patients globally.”
“I’m excited to join BeiGene as the Chief Medical Officer of Hematology,” said Dr. Huang. “BeiGene has utilized its drug discovery platform to internally develop multiple clinical assets with all demonstrating proof-of-concept. I look forward to working with everyone to expand and unlock the full potential of our pipeline.”
Prior to joining BeiGene, Dr. Huang was the Vice President and Head of Development at Acerta Pharma, where she oversaw global clinical development of the BTK inhibitor, acalabrutinib. Previously, she served as Group Medical Director at Genentech, where she spent 10 years and played a leading role in drug development programs for several molecules at all stages of development, including venetoclax and obinutuzumab. She is also adjunct clinical faculty and an attending physician in Oncology at Stanford University.
Dr. Huang holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and an M.D. from University of Washington School of Medicine. She is board certified in hematology, oncology, and internal medicine, and she completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowships in Hematology and Oncology at Stanford University.
About BeiGene
BeiGene is a global, clinical-stage, research-based biotechnology company focused on molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology cancer therapeutics. With a team of over 250 scientists, clinicians and staff in mainland China, the United States, Australia and Taiwan, BeiGene is advancing a pipeline consisting of novel oral small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for cancer. BeiGene is working to create combination solutions aimed to have both a meaningful and lasting impact on cancer patients.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws, including statements regarding BeiGene’s advancement of, and anticipated development and regulatory milestones and plans related to, BeiGene’s drug candidates and clinical trials, including commencing registration and combination trials and providing data readouts and updates for its clinical and preclinical candidates. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including BeiGene's ability to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its drug candidates; the clinical results for its drug candidates, which may not support further development; actions of regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of clinical trials; BeiGene's ability to achieve market acceptance in the medical community necessary for commercial success; BeiGene's ability to obtain and maintain protection of intellectual property for its technology and drugs; BeiGene's reliance on third parties to conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials; BeiGene’s limited operating history and BeiGene's ability to obtain additional funding for operations and to complete the development and commercialization of its drug candidates, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the BeiGene’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in BeiGene's subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and BeiGene undertakes no duty to update such information unless required by law.
Investor/Media Contact Lucy Li, Ph.D. +1 781-801-1800 ir@beigene.com media@beigene.com
