- Kevin Baker, Ph.D., appointed as Senior Vice President of Development Sciences
- Robert Sikorski, M.D., Ph.D., promoted to Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Development
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:FPRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel protein therapeutics for cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced the appointment of Kevin Baker, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President Development Sciences, to oversee pharmacology, toxicology, bio-analytics, process development, manufacturing and project management. In addition, Robert Sikorski, M.D., Ph.D., was promoted to Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Development where he will oversee all clinical development, pharmacovigilance and pharmacokinetics, and will play a strategic role in advancing Five Prime’s immuno-oncology portfolio.
“We are pleased that Kevin is rejoining Five Prime, as he brings with him more than 20 years of experience in discovery and development of novel biologic-based therapeutics in cancer and inflammation,” said Lewis T. “Rusty” Williams, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Five Prime. “In addition, Bob’s promotion is reflective of his contributions in leading our clinical programs and the importance of this role as our clinical portfolio continues to advance. Both Kevin and Bob will be instrumental in Five Prime’s future development, particularly with our focus on immuno-oncology.”
Dr. Baker joins Five Prime from Audentes Therapeutics, where he was Senior Vice President, Preclinical Development. Prior to joining Audentes, Dr. Baker was Vice President, Preclinical Development at Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc., where he and his team were responsible for moving Five Prime’s FPA008, FPA144 and FP-1039 products into the clinic. Prior to Five Prime, Dr. Baker served in positions of increasing responsibility at Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (HGS), a biopharmaceutical company acquired by GlaxoSmithKline, most recently as Associate Director, Protein Therapeutics. During this time, Dr. Baker also ran a research laboratory focused on receptor-ligand interactions in the immune system. Before joining HGS, Dr. Baker was a scientist at Genentech, Inc. (later acquired by Roche Holding Ltd), where he focused on the identification of novel therapeutics for multiple diseases areas. Dr. Baker received a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Physiology from the University of Salford, England, and a Ph.D. from the University of Dundee, Scotland. Dr. Baker has published more than 20 scientific articles and is a named inventor on more than 80 issued patents based on his work in the biotechnology industry.
Prior to joining Five Prime as Vice President of Global Clinical Development in 2014, Dr. Sikorski was Senior Director, Global Oncology Research and Development at MedImmune (the Biologics Division of AstraZeneca, PLC), where he and his team led the clinical development of a portfolio of immuno-oncology drugs. He also played a leading role in building this portfolio through partnering and acquisition efforts, that included OX40 (MEDI0562, MEDI06469, and MEDI06383), PD1 (AMP-514), CTLA4 (tremelimumab), an oncolytic virus, and TLR targeting assets. Prior to Medimmune, he served as Director, Global Oncology Research and Development at Amgen, where he led late stage clinical development and post marketing efforts for several oncology drug candidates. His seminal work on panitumumab (now marketed as Vectibix®) led to the drug’s approval with a first-in-class companion diagnostic based on KRAS genotype. Dr. Sikorski began his career as a Howard Hughes Research Fellow and Visiting Scientist at the National Cancer Institute and the National Human Genome Research Institute in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Harold Varmus. Dr. Sikorski received an M.D. and Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine through a Medical Scientist Training Program scholarship. He completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and an oncology fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, and is board certified in both medical oncology and internal medicine.
About Five Prime
Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc. discovers and develops innovative therapeutics to improve the lives of patients with serious diseases. Five Prime’s comprehensive discovery platform, which encompasses virtually every medically relevant extracellular protein, positions it to explore pathways in cancer, inflammation and their intersection in immuno-oncology, an area with significant therapeutic potential and a growing focus of the company’s R&D activities. Five Prime has entered into strategic collaborations with leading global pharmaceutical companies and has promising product candidates in clinical and preclinical development. For more information, please visit www.fiveprime.com.
Cautionary Note on Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Five Prime’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Five Prime’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” contained therein. Except as required by law, Five Prime assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.
CONTACT: CONTACT: Heather Rowe Investor Relations 415-365-5737 heather.rowe@fiveprime.com Amy Kendall Corporate Communications 415-365-5776 amy.kendall@fiveprime.com
