Newark, NJ, July 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the growing field of cancer metabolism-based therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Eric Van Cutsem MD, PhD and Josep Tabernero MD, PhD to its Medical Advisory Board (MAB). Dr. Van Cutsem and Dr. Tabernero will work closely with Rafael’s senior leadership to develop CPI-613 in Europe for Pancreatic Cancer and other gastrointestinal indications.

Dr. Van Cutsem is the Head of Digestive Oncology, Medical Doctor, and Professor of Medicine at University Hospital Gasthuisberg/Leuven, Belgium, and Dr. Tabernero is the Head of Medical Oncology, Vall d´Hebron University Hospital and Director, Vall d´Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO).

Philip A. Philip, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP, Head of Rafael’s GI Cancers Medical Advisory Board commented, “the appointment of Dr. Van Cutsem and Dr. Tabernero to our Medical Advisory Board gives us increased momentum towards developing CPI-613 in European countries, and also bolsters our commitment to developing CPI-613 as a treatment for other gastrointestinal indications.”

Sanjeev Luther, Rafael Pharma’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our immediate goal is to improve the quality of life for patients with Pancreatic Cancer, which is the deadliest cancer worldwide and has very limited treatment options. The appointments of Dr. Van Cutsem and Dr. Tabernero to the Medical Advisory Board is a big step towards this goal, and towards our long-term goal of improving patient outcomes in a diverse array of gastrointestinal cancers that have unmet clinical need.”

About Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held clinical-stage, metabolic oncology therapeutics company committed to the development and commercialization of therapies that exploit the metabolic differences between normal cells and cancer cells. Rafael’s primary objective is to develop innovative, highly selective, well tolerated and highly effective anti-cancer agents by selectively targeting altered metabolism in cancer cells. Rafael’s first-in-class clinical lead compound, CPI-613 is being evaluated in multiple Phase I, I/II, and II clinical studies. CPI-613 has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL), Burkitt Lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The Company's investors include Rafael Holdings, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: RFL). For more information, visit  http://www.rafaelpharma.com/ .

Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or the company’s future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" or "continue", the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the company, or any other person, that such forward-looking statements will be achieved. The business and operations of the company are subject to substantial risks which increase the uncertainty inherent in forward-looking statements. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of the foregoing, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Contact Sanjeev Luther President & CEO Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  sanjeev.luther@rafaelpharma.com

Jacob Jonas Public Relations, Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc. jacob.jonas@rafaelpharma.com