NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Neurotrope, Inc. (NTRP), a clinical-stage company developing a disruptive therapy for the treatment of severe Alzheimer’s disease, today announced the appointment of Dr. Susanne Wilke, Ph.D., M.B.A., to its board of directors. Dr. Wilke replaces Larry Alstiel, M.D., Ph.D., who resigned from his position to pursue a new, full-time professional opportunity.
“We are very pleased to welcome Susanne to our Board,” said Charles S. Ramat, President and CEO of Neurotrope. “She is an industry veteran with a tremendous scientific background including a dual Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry and extensive understanding of various therapeutic areas. She brings deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences industries as well as a diverse skill set inclusive of financial expertise and corporate governance. Susanne’s proven experience in scientific operations, strategic planning and managing the growth of emerging companies will prove invaluable as we advance Bryostatin-1 through our Phase 2b proof-of-concept trial in moderately-severe to severe Alzheimer’s disease.”
Mr. Ramat added, “On behalf of the management team and board of directors, I thank Larry for his contributions to Neurotrope over the past years. We wish him continued success in his new endeavor.”
Dr. Wilke is an industry expert with 25 years of diverse experience in the life sciences. She has served as a scientific expert and observer on the boards of seven companies. Additionally, she has proven experience in arranging funding, processing venture capital transactions, negotiating licensing agreements and integrating strategic acquisitions. She is the Co-founder and CEO of CrossBridge International, an advisory specializing in integrating proprietary scientific developments with sophisticated marketing and financing plans for biotech companies. Dr. Wilke also served as Director of the Life Sciences group at Wombat Capital Markets SAS, a financial advisory firm specializing in cross-border transactions between the U.S. and Europe. Previously, she was a Healthcare Strategy Consultant at The Monitor Group where she developed oncology portfolio and market and regulatory analysis for domestic and emerging markets for a major pharmaceutical company. Prior to that, she served as a Director of Worldwide New Product Commercial Assessment for General Medicine and Specialty Pharma Products at Forest Laboratories where she presented new products to top management for in-licensing. Dr. Wilke also served at NGN Capital and Schroder Ventures where she conducted due diligence and handled investments. Early on in her career she led the strategic planning of Amgen’s Boston Research Facility. Prior to joining Amgen, Dr. Wilke was a Project Leader at Hoffman La Roche.
Dr. Wilke holds an M.B.A. in Strategy and Finance from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a dual Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry and Drug Development from the University of Illinois. Dr. Wilke completed her B.A. in Chemistry from Loyola University.
About Neurotrope
Neurotrope BioScience, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Neurotrope, Inc., is at the forefront of biotechnology companies in developing a disruptive therapy for the treatment of moderately severe to severe Alzheimer’s disease. The Company has successfully completed a Phase 2a trial, in which all primary endpoints were met, and is currently dosing patients in a Phase 2b proof-of-concept trial. The scientific basis of our treatment is activation of Protein Kinase C isozymes ε and α by bryostatin, a natural product, which can result in repair of damaged synapses as well as synaptogenesis, reduction of toxic amyloid generation, and enhancement of memory and learning, thus having the potential to improve cognition and behavior in Alzheimer’s disease.
Neurotrope is also conducting preclinical studies of bryostatin as a treatment for Fragile X Syndrome and Niemann-Pick Type C disease, two rare genetic diseases for which only symptomatic treatments are currently available. The Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Drug Designation to Neurotrope for bryostatin as a treatment for Fragile X Syndrome.
NTRP has exclusively licensed technology from the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute for Alzheimer’s disease and Fragile X Syndrome, has a world-wide, exclusive license with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai for Niemann-Pick Type C disease and is partnered with Stanford University to synthesize and find the next generation bryostatin – called bryologs.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the proposed study and timing of initiation, and continued development of use of bryostatin for Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive diseases, and the Company’s ability to list its common shares on a major stock exchange. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control over. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the Company’s inability to obtain adequate financing, the significant length of time associated with drug development and related insufficient cash flows and resulting illiquidity, the Company’s patent portfolio, the Company’s inability to expand the Company’s business, the Company’s inability to meet listing requirements for major stock exchanges, significant government regulation of pharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, lack of product diversification, availability of the Company’s raw materials, existing or increased competition, stock volatility and illiquidity, and the Company’s failure to implement the Company’s business plans or strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.
Please visit www.neurotropebioscience.com for further information.
CONTACT: For additional information, please contact: Neurotrope Bioscience Charles Ramat, Chief Executive Officer 973-242-0005 cramat@neurotropebioscience.com
