AGTC Appoints Abraham Scaria, Ph.D., as Chief Science Officer
November 16 2021 - 08:00AM
Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: AGTC), a
biotechnology company conducting human clinical trials of
adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies for the treatment
of rare inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), today announced the
appointment of Abraham Scaria, Ph.D., as Chief Science Officer.
“A gene therapy pioneer with deep knowledge of retinal and rare
diseases, Dr. Scaria will bring invaluable insights and expertise
as we advance and seek to expand our pipeline of gene therapy
programs,” said Sue Washer, President and Chief Executive Officer
of AGTC. “We are privileged to have an accomplished scientist and
researcher join us in making transformational gene therapies a
reality for patients.”
Dr. Scaria has more than 25 years of experience in the biotech
and pharmaceutical industries, with deep knowledge in discovery
research, preclinical studies and phase 1/2 clinical trials, with a
focus on gene therapies to treat rare diseases. Most recently, Dr.
Scaria was the Senior Vice President and Chief Science Officer at
IVERIC Bio, where he was responsible for preclinical research and
development for retinal disease therapies.
“I am excited to become part of the dedicated and talented team
at AGTC and to help lead the way in providing breakthrough
therapies for patients suffering from inherited retinal diseases
and other debilitating indications, many of which have no treatment
options available,” said Abraham Scaria, Ph.D. “My research and
development experience with a wide variety of gene therapies will
be beneficial as the team at AGTC enters a new phase of growth and
advances both their clinical and pre-clinical product
candidates.”
Before his tenure at IVERIC Bio, Dr. Scaria served as Vice
President and Head of Ophthalmology at Casebia Therapeutics, where
he built out the ophthalmology research and development group from
the ground-up. Prior to Casebia, Dr. Scaria served as the Head of
Gene Therapy Research at Sanofi Genzyme, where he was responsible
for all aspects of gene therapy research, including AAV vector
mediated gene delivery optimization. Previously, he was the Senior
Scientific Director for Gene Therapy and Ophthalmology Research at
Genzyme Corporation.
Dr. Scaria earned his Ph.D. at the Indiana University School of
Medicine and his M.Sc. at the University of Bombay in India.
About AGTCAGTC is a clinical-stage
biotechnology company developing genetic therapies for people with
rare and debilitating ophthalmic, otologic and central nervous
system (CNS) diseases. AGTC is a leader in designing and
constructing all critical gene therapy elements and bringing them
together to develop customized therapies with the potential to
address real patient needs. AGTC’s most advanced clinical programs
leverage its best-in-class technology platform to potentially
improve vision for patients with an inherited retinal disease. AGTC
has active clinical trials in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP)
and achromatopsia (ACHM CNGB3 and ACHM CNGA3). Its preclinical
programs build on the company’s industry leading AAV manufacturing
technology and scientific expertise. AGTC is advancing multiple
important pipeline candidates to address substantial unmet clinical
need in optogenetics, otology and CNS disorders, and has entered
into strategic collaborations with companies including Otonomy,
Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of
innovative therapeutics for neurotology, and Bionic Sight,
LLC, an innovator in the emerging field of optogenetics and retinal
coding.
Forward-Looking Statements This release
contains forward-looking statements that reflect AGTC's plans,
estimates, assumptions and beliefs, including statements about the
potential of the Company’s late-stage development programs in
X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (XLRP) and Achromatopsia (ACHM) and
its ability to expand its existing pipeline of gene therapy
programs. Forward-looking statements include information concerning
preclinical and clinical product development and regulatory
progress, potential growth opportunities, and potential market
opportunities. Forward-looking statements include all statements
that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such
as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "seeks," "estimates,"
"expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "potential," "predicts,"
"projects," "should," "will," "would" or similar expressions and
the negatives of those terms. Actual results could differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements,
due to a number of important factors. Risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially
include, among others: gene therapy is still novel with only a few
approved treatments so far; AGTC cannot predict when or if it will
obtain regulatory approval to commercialize a product candidate or
receive reasonable reimbursement; uncertainty inherent in clinical
trials and the regulatory review process; risks and uncertainties
associated with drug development and commercialization; the direct
and indirect impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our
business, results of operations, and financial condition; factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements are set forth under the
heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form
10-K and subsequent periodic reports filed with the SEC. Given
these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements
represent management's plans, estimates, assumptions and beliefs
only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, we
assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements
publicly or to update the reasons actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements, even if new information becomes available in the
future.
PR Contact:
Kerry Sinclair
Spectrum Science Communications
T: (202) 587-1507
ksinclair@spectrumscience.com
Corporate Contact:
Jonathan Lieber
Chief Financial Officer
Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation
T: (617) 843-5778
jlieber@agtc.com
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