Epizyme President of Research and Chief Scientific

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epizyme, Inc. (NASDAQ: EPZM ), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company creating novel epigenetic therapies, today announced that President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer, Robert A. Copeland, Ph.D., will be retiring from Epizyme in the second quarter of 2017 to pursue advisory and other opportunities within the industry. Dr. Copeland has served in his role since 2008, and will remain a key advisor to Epizyme following his transition. The Company is executing plans for continued growth of its investigational pipeline, with plans to name its next development candidate in 2017 as part of its goal of delivering three new candidates into the clinic by 2020.

“I want to thank Bob for his incredible service and invaluable contributions to Epizyme. During his tenure, we pioneered the development of epigenetic therapies for the treatment of cancer, ultimately resulting in our discovery of three novel epigenetic product candidates to enter clinical development,” said Robert Bazemore, president and chief executive officer, Epizyme. “Bob built a strong team and foundation of scientific capabilities that have positioned us well in our evolution from an early-stage company developing a new class of epigenetic targets into a late-stage clinical development organization. I am delighted that Bob will continue to contribute to Epizyme in an advisory role and wish him the best in his next endeavors. We expect a smooth transition and are confident that the plans we are putting in place will further strengthen and secure Epizyme’s future.”

“I am grateful for my time with Epizyme and am overjoyed by what we have been able to accomplish over the past eight years,” said Robert A. Copeland, Ph.D. “With this incredibly talented team, we have discovered entire new classes of targets for epigenetic medicines and built a deep pipeline of early stage programs that are advancing through internal efforts and various collaborations. I am extremely confident in the potential of tazemetostat, the industry’s most advanced EZH2 inhibitor, and look forward to seeing the results of the clinical translation of this company’s novel science. My advisory role will continue to keep me involved with Epizyme and I wish the company all the best in the next phase of its evolution.” 

“Bob has made tremendous contributions to Epizyme’s vision, platform and innovation since its founding,” said David Mott, chairman of Epizyme’s Board of Directors. “On behalf of the entire Board, I want to extend our collective appreciation to Bob and wish him well.”

About Epizyme, Inc. Epizyme, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to rewriting cancer treatment through novel epigenetic medicines. Epizyme is broadly developing its lead product candidate, tazemetostat, a first-in-class EZH2 inhibitor, with studies underway in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies as a monotherapy and combination therapy and in relapsed and front-line disease. Using the Company’s proprietary platform, Epizyme has pioneered the identification and development of small molecule inhibitors of chromatin modifying proteins (CMPs), such as tazemetostat. CMPs are part of the system of gene regulation, referred to as epigenetics, that controls gene expression. Genetic alterations can result in changes to the activity of CMPs, which can allow cancer cells to grow and proliferate. By focusing on the genetic drivers of cancers, Epizyme's science seeks to match targeted medicines with the specific patients that need it. For more information, visit www.epizyme.com and connect with us on Twitter at @EpizymeRx.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Epizyme, Inc. and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: uncertainties inherent in the initiation of future clinical studies and in the availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical studies; whether interim results from a clinical trial will be predictive of the final results of the trial; whether results from preclinical studies or earlier clinical studies will be predictive of the results of future trials; whether results from clinical studies will warrant meetings with regulatory authorities or submissions for regulatory approval; expectations for regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; whether the Company's cash resources will be sufficient to fund the Company's foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the Company's therapeutic candidates; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Form 10-Q filed with the SEC and in the Company's other filings from time to time with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

Contact: Monique Allaire, THRUST IR monique@thrustir.com (617) 895-9511