BioCryst Appoints Dr. Donald Fong Chief Medical Officer
Rhea-AI Summary
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: BCRX) has appointed Dr. Donald S. Fong as its new chief medical officer, effective immediately. Dr. Fong, who joined BioCryst in April 2024 as vice president of the ophthalmology therapeutic area, brings over 25 years of clinical experience in leading clinical trials and drug development. His appointment strengthens BioCryst's leadership team as they advance their pipeline of novel therapies, including programs for Netherton syndrome and diabetic macular edema.
Dr. Fong's extensive background includes serving as vice president of ophthalmology clinical development at Annexon Biosciences, founding the clinical trials division at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and advising numerous FDA committees. His expertise aligns with BioCryst's focus on developing potential life-changing therapies for diseases with significant unmet needs.
Positive
- Appointment of experienced Chief Medical Officer with over 25 years in clinical trials and drug development
- Strengthening of leadership team with addition of another physician
- Advancement of pipeline therapies for Netherton syndrome and diabetic macular edema
- Dr. Fong's expertise in ophthalmology aligns with BioCryst's diabetic macular edema program
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, BCRX declined 1.81%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) today announced that Donald S. Fong, MD, MPH, has been appointed as the company’s new chief medical officer, effective immediately.
Dr. Fong joins Dr. Helen Thackray, the company’s chief research and development officer, and Dr. Bill Sheridan, the company’s chief development officer, as physicians on the company’s leadership team.
“We continue to advance our pipeline of novel therapies to treat diseases with significant unmet needs, including programs in Netherton syndrome and diabetic macular edema that we expect will enter the clinic this year and next year, respectively. Donald’s experience leading clinical research programs for various diseases, coupled with his many years of experience and thought leadership as an ophthalmologist, make him an excellent leader for our global medical team as we continue to focus on bringing potential life-changing therapies to patients who need them,” Thackray said.
Dr. Fong joined BioCryst in April 2024 as vice president of the ophthalmology therapeutic area, where he has overseen clinical development of avoralstat, the company’s investigational plasma kallikrein inhibitor for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. He has more than 25 years of clinical experience leading clinical trials, drug development and healthcare organizations in both clinical and industry roles.
Prior to joining BioCryst, Dr. Fong served as vice president of ophthalmology clinical development at Annexon Biosciences, where he advanced the company’s asset to phase 3 trials in geographic atrophy. Prior to his time at Annexon, Dr. Fong founded the clinical trials division at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) that oversaw trials for all medical and surgical specialties and advanced the company’s oncology group to become a leading national site. He also created and led KP’s tele-ophthalmology/telemedicine program and is a clinical professor at the KP School of Medicine. Dr. Fong has been an advisor to numerous U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committees, in addition to serving as chair of the FDA’s Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee. Dr. Fong received his BA from Pomona College, his MD from UT Health San Antonio and his MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health.
About BioCryst Pharmaceuticals
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people living with complement-mediated and other rare diseases. BioCryst leverages its expertise in structure-guided drug design to develop first-in-class or best-in-class oral small-molecule and protein therapeutics to target difficult-to-treat diseases. BioCryst has commercialized ORLADEYO® (berotralstat), the first oral, once-daily plasma kallikrein inhibitor, and is advancing a pipeline of small-molecule and protein therapies. For more information, please visit www.biocryst.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
BCRXW
Contact:
John Bluth
+1 919 859 7910
jbluth@biocryst.com
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