Dr. Eugene Sun Appointed to Novan Board of Directors

  • Complements existing Board expertise as 30-year clinician, drug developer and former biopharmaceutical CEO
  • Will provide expert perspective on the clinical application of the underlying nitric oxide science
  • Will chair newly formed Research and Development Committee  

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Feb. 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Novan, Inc. (“the Company” or “Novan”) (NASDAQ:NOVN) today announced that Eugene Sun, M.D., has been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective February 16, 2018.

Executive Chairman of Novan’s Board of Directors, Robert Ingram, commented on Dr. Sun’s appointment to the Board by stating, “Eugene’s depth of experience in translational medicine and drug development stands out against any global comparison.” Mr. Ingram added that, “Novan is most fortunate to have someone of Eugene’s pedigree on our Board.”

“The opportunity to join Novan’s Board, at this time, is a great honor and something that I am genuinely excited about,” commented Dr. Sun.  He added, “The underlying science offers a broad array of therapeutic options and I look forward to working with the Company to capture the fullest extent of those opportunities.”

With the addition of Dr. Sun, Novan’s Board formed a Research and Development Committee, chaired by Dr. Sun and comprised of members of the Board in consultation with the Company’s Executive Management Team. This Committee will assist the Board in evolving and overseeing the strategic direction and medical applications of Novan’s proprietary nitric oxide-based technology.

Dr. Sun served as the Chief Executive Officer for Melinta Therapeutics from 2015 to 2017 and as its Executive Vice President from 2013 to 2015. Prior to joining Melinta, Dr. Sun held senior positions at Abbott Laboratories, most recently as Corporate Vice President, Global Pharmaceutical Clinical Development. During his 17-year tenure at Abbott, Dr. Sun led the development and worldwide regulatory approval of the landmark human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor Kaletra® and oversaw the development and approval of multiple indications for Humira®.

From 2001 to 2007, Dr. Sun served on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee, a panel of independent infectious disease experts. After earning an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Sun completed an internship and residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco. During his fellowship, Dr. Sun received a National Research Service Award and a Physician Scientist Award from the National Institutes of Health.

About Novan

Novan, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on leveraging nitric oxide’s natural antiviral and immunomodulatory mechanisms of action to treat dermatological and oncovirus-mediated diseases. We believe that our ability to conveniently deploy nitric oxide in a solid form, on demand and in localized formulations allows us the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes in a variety of diseases.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements related to the pharmaceutical development of nitric oxide-releasing product candidates, including the expected success and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials, and the future prospects of our business, including management succession, governance and operating activities of the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties in the clinical development process, including, among others, length, expense, ability to enroll patients, reliance on third parties, and outcomes of our current clinical trials and future preclinical studies and clinical trials, including the timing of initiation of such trials and availability of data from such trials, and that results of earlier research and preclinical or clinical trials may not be predictive of results, conclusions or interpretations of later research or trials; the lengthy and unpredictable nature of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s drug approval process; whether we will be able to enter into strategic arrangements or obtain adequate funding to support our operations and initiatives on acceptable terms, or at all, and other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2016, and in our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Novan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as may be required by law.

CONTACT:

(Investors)
Novan, Inc.
investors@novan.com

(Media)
Cari Green
Director, Corporate Communications and Administration
cgreen@novan.com

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