ACCESSWIRE
30 Jun 2022, 16:09 GMT+10
MILAN, ITALY / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2022 / AAVantgarde Bio, a biotechnology start-up that is developing gene therapies for inherited retinal disorders based on Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vectors, announced the appointment of Naveed Shams, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Development and Medical Officer (CDMO).
Most recently, Dr. Shams managed more than 60 scientists as head of Translational Research and Early Development efforts at ProQR Therapeutics, a clinical stage, oligonucleotide (RNA) platform company with a focus on rare inherited retinal diseases.
'Naveed is a seasoned biotech executive and a highly respected clinician with over three decades of expertise in developing and commercializing ophthalmic drugs globally. His extensive experience as a global R&D leader in ophthalmology should prove invaluable to grow AAVantgarde into a clinical stage company,' said Dr. Ram Palanki, Chairman of AAVantgarde's Board of Directors.
Dr. Shams received his medical degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, and his Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from the University of South Carolina. After completing a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the Schepens Eye Research Institute & Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, he served on the Research Faculty in the Department. His industry leadership experience spans multiple therapeutic areas and includes tenures with Santen, Genentech, Novartis Ophthalmics, Opko Health, On Demand Therapeutics, Storz Ophthalmic Instruments. While at Genentech, Dr. Shams led the clinical team responsible for the development and approval of Ranibizumab (Lucentis®) for the treatment of wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD).
AAVantgarde Bio's technology builds on existing AAV platforms, which are the main viral vector technology used in gene therapy applications. The company is a spin-off of TIGEM, an international research institute based in Naples that is owned and managed by Fondazione Telethon. AAVantgarde's founder, Professor Alberto Auricchio, is a highly recognized scientist and a pioneer in the field of gene therapy.
'I am thrilled to join AAVantgarde to lead the development of the company's next generation large gene replacement AAV therapies into the clinic,' Dr. Shams said. 'AAVantgarde Bio has two proprietary AAV platforms for the delivery of large genes with lead programs in ophthalmology. It is an exciting time to be joining the organization.'
Paola Pozzi, a Partner with Sofinnova Partners' Telethon Fund, said, 'With the recent clinical trial application successfully submitted to AIFA, Italy, Naveed's leadership will be critical in the development of AAVantgarde's lead investigational products for the treatment of Ushers syndromes and Stargardt disease. Dr. Shams is well known in the Sofinnova Partners' network as an industry veteran who can build and motivate teams. I look forward to his leadership to help accelerate the development of AAVantgarde's innovative portfolio to address unmet needs for patients worldwide.'
AAVantgarde has received support since 2021 from the Sofinnova Telethon Fund, an early-stage fund dedicated to investments in rare genetic diseases.
###
About AAVantgarde Bio
AAVantgarde Bio is an innovative biotechnology start-up, co-founded by Pr. Alberto Auricchio and born from the research activities carried out at Tigem (Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine) in Naples, Italy, and supported by Sofinnova Partners. For more information visit: www.aavantgardebio.com
Contact:
Paola Pizzi
Phone: +39 348 6363603
ppizzi@sofinnovapartners.com
SOURCE: Sofinnova Partners
Get a daily dose of Pittsburgh Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Pittsburgh Star.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: A New York Federal Reserve report released this week indicated that Americans are struggling to ...
The Philadelphia Eagles are signing undrafted running back DeAndre Torrey, NFL Network reported Wednesday. The former North Texas standout worked ...
The organizers of the Diontae Johnson Youth Football Camp sued the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver over his failure to show ...
The host Arizona Diamondbacks will look to match their season-high four-game winning streak when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates on ...
The Atlanta Braves are overdue for a good performance from a starting pitcher, and Kyle Wright has been delivering all ...
The Baltimore Orioles have a chance to make the American League wild-card race squeaky tight Wednesday night as they go ...
LOS ANGELES, California: During a meeting that was disrupted by protesters this week, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. Justice Department announced this week that former Puerto Rico governor Wanda Vazquez has been arrested in ...
OTTAWA, Ontario: Military trainers from Canada will head to the United Kingdom to teach Ukrainians new techniques for fighting the ...
SANYA, China: Following a Covid lockdown, some 80,000 tourists cannot leave the southern Chinese beach resort of Sanya. The restrictions ...
SANTA BARBARA, California - Australian singing sensation and actress Olivia Newtown-John has died at the age of 73."Dame Olivia Newton-John ...
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, California: Record rainfall on August 5 caused floods at Death Valley National Park that closed all ...