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Pioneering work by a renowned physician-scientist led to the discovery and characterization of several oncogenes, including anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)
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Dr. Morris will lead the clinical development of BMF-219, an irreversible covalent inhibitor of menin currently in Phase I clinical trials, and other planned clinical programs
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Company plans to initiate clinical development of BMF-219 in seven distinct tumor types, plus diabetes, in 2022
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Feb. 01 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biomea Fusion, Inc. (“Biomea”) (Nasdaq: BMEA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of new, irreversible small molecules to treat and improve the lives of patients with of genetically defined cancers and metabolic diseases, today announced the appointment of Steve Morris, MD, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Morris, who has been a clinical consultant at Biomea since 2020, will now lead the clinical development of BMF-219, an irreversible covalent inhibitor of menin, as well as additional clinical programs planned by the company. BMF-219 is currently in a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory acute leukemias, including those with MLL1/KMT2A gene rearrangements or NPM1 mutations. In January 2022, Biomea announced plans to initiate clinical studies of BMF-219 in up to seven liquid and solid tumor types – acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), myeloma multiple (MM), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer – as well as diabetes.
“I am delighted with Steve’s decision to join Biomea full-time as the company’s first chief marketing officer,” said Thomas Butler, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Biomea. “Steve is an internationally renowned physician-scientist and translational researcher with over 30 years of expertise in clinical and academic research. With his first-hand experience interrogating the role menin plays in aggressive cancers both as a researcher and as a practicing oncologist, Steve has a unique perspective on how BMF-219 can benefit patients. patients with liquid and solid tumors of genetic origin. He has been instrumental in orchestrating our rapid progression of BMF-219 into the clinic, and we look forward to his continued contributions in this new capacity as Chief Marketing Officer.
Prior to embarking on a career in the biopharmaceutical industry in 2012, Dr. Morris was on staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for 25 years. In addition to working as a clinician, he led a basic and translational research lab at St. Jude, which discovered and characterized oncogenes that cause a variety of human cancers, including anaplastic lymphoma kinase, or ALK. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several ALK inhibitors, the development of which was based on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Morris. Dr. Morris also performed translational research at St. Jude on menine leukemias (one of the many menine oncology indications pursued by Biomea) and treated many patients with these malignancies during his career as an practicing oncologist.
“I am excited to continue the extraordinary work we have done at Biomea over the past two years in translating the promise of Biomea’s Fusion platform, which enables the rapid targeting of validated cancer biology with breakthrough covalent chemistry, to advancing the company’s first irreversible treatment to the clinical stage. covalent inhibitor, BMF-219,” Dr. Morris said. “With the ability to assay patients in up to seven distinct tumor types with BMF-219 in the coming months, 2022 will be a transformational year for Biomea. I look forward to continuing to execute on the robust clinical development plan we announced to further our collective goal of delivering effective targeted therapies to patients with limited treatment options. »
Since leaving academia, Dr. Morris has served as a consultant or CMO for several oncology-focused biotech startups, including Biomea. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, a recipient of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award, and an inductee of the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Dr. Morris received his MD from Louisiana State University Health Science Center, completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Health Science Center, and trained in medical oncology at Yale University School of Medicine. .
About Biomea Fusion
Biomea Fusion is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of irreversible small molecules to treat patients with genetically defined cancers and metabolic diseases. An irreversible small molecule is a synthetic compound that forms a permanent bond with its target protein and offers a number of potential advantages over conventional reversible drugs, including greater target selectivity, reduced drug exposure, and the ability to cause a deeper and more lasting response. The company is using its proprietary FUSION™ system to advance a pipeline of irreversibly bound therapeutic agents against key oncogenic drivers of cancer and metabolic disease. Biomea Fusion’s goal is to use its capabilities and platform to become a leader in the development of irreversible small molecules to maximize clinical benefits when treating various cancers and metabolic diseases.
Forward-looking statements
Statements we make in this press release may include statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). ), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements can be identified by words such as “aims”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “plans”, “aims”, “intends”. of”, “may”, “plans”, “possible”, “potential”, “seeks”, “will” and variations of these words or similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the clinical and therapeutic potential of our product candidates and development programs, including BMF-219, the potential of BMF-219 as a treatment for various types of cancer and diabetes, our research, development and regulatory plans, including our plans to initiate clinical development of BMF-219 in up to seven distinct tumor types, as well as diabetes, and the timing of these events, can be considered forward-looking statements. We intend that these forward-looking statements be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Foreign Exchange Act and make this statement in purpose of complying with these safe harbor provisions.
All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. significantly and unfavorably from those established. set out in or implied by these forward-looking statements, including the risk that we may face delays in enrolling patients and in initiating, conducting and completing our planned clinical trials. These risks regarding Biomea Fusion’s business and operations are more fully described in its periodic filings with the SEC, including its most recent periodic report filed with the SEC and subsequent subsequent filings. Biomea Fusion expressly disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Contact:
Van Sandwick
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Development
[email protected]
(650) 460-7759
