BOSTON, Sept. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BIORCHESTRA is a
bio-tech company focused on the identification of novel targets in
neurodegenerative diseases using RNA-based therapeutics. To access
these novel targets, BIOCHESRTRA has also developed a proprietary
nanoparticle formulation to deliver RNA-based drugs across the
blood-brain barrier in sufficient amounts to be therapeutically
effective. In addition, their proprietary exosome-based diagnostic
that detects and quantifies markers of neuroinflammation and
neurodegeneration facilitates patient selection and treatment
monitoring.
Nonclinical models confirm the relevance of the
neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration pathways targeted by
BIORCHESTRA and confirm deep brain delivery of their proprietary
drug, BMD-001, in rodents and
primates and disease models of ALS and Alzheimer's disease.
BIORCHESTRA has been recently recognized for its achievements by
Johnson & Johnson in their Innovation QuickFire Challenge in
Neuroscience in June, 2021. [i] [ii]
Reflecting the success of its research and development programs
and anticipating its international expansion and entry into
clinical development, the BIORCHESTRA has appointed Dr.
Louis St.L. O'Dea as its first CMO
(Chief medical officer) in September, 2021. CEO Branden Ryu mentioned "Dr. O'Dea has
successfully has led 14 drugs including sNDA and ANDA, development
program, regulatory interactions and drug approvals at Moderna,
Akcea, Serono and Radius. He is a great fit for BIORCHESTRA
having expertise and experience in all phases of drug development,
trial design and execution, regulatory affairs and RNA. I am more
than happy to be developing new drug with such a great expert Dr.
O'Dea. Dr. O'Dea will play key role in overall strategic direction,
planning, execution and interpretation of clinical research,
clinical operations and clinical pharmacology, data management,
statistics and safety/pharmacovigilance for neurodegenerative
diseases and mRNA vaccines. This will be a great opportunity for us
to learn how great biotechs such as Moderna and Ionis(Akcea) have
grown, overcome difficulties and develop products. I will be
collaborating closely with Dr. O'Dea." In addition to the
responsibilities listed above, Dr. O'Dea has also joined the Board
of Directors of BIORCHESTRA as of September
2021 and will become President of the North American
subsidiary of BIORCHESTRA.
Dr. O'Dea said "my decision to join BIORCHESTRA was based on the
innovative foundational science, the high social value of the work
of BIORCHESTRA in addressing fatal neurodegenerative diseases, and
the quality and commitment of the people. Hence, the decision to
travel over 7,000 miles to Daejeon, South
Korea, to join BIORCHESTRA. I am honored to steer this
organization through its next phase of growth, to deliver
life-saving drugs to patients. We will have the benefit of the best
talent available in Boston and
Daejeon to deliver on the promise of BIORCHESTRA's scientific
platforms.
Dr. Louis St.L. O'Dea (MB, BCh,
BAO, FRCP has worked as CMO in global pharmaceutical companies such
as Serono, Moderna, Akcea (Ionis), Radius and Oxford Immunotec for
28 years. He has successfully registered 14 NDAs including NCEs,
sNDAs and ANDAs, 5 Orphan drug designations, and 1 medical device
approval in USA, Europe,
Canada, and Japan. He has expertise with
RNA(oligo-nucleotides), proteins, peptides, small molecules and
route of administration from numerous new drug development
experiences. As CMO and head of regulatory affairs of Moderna, Dr.
O'Dea was a member of the executive team that attracted research
funds from DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to
initiate the mRNA vaccine program and significant investments from
AstraZeneca and Alexion".
In Akcea Therapeutics (Ionis's subsidiary, developed treatment
for rare diseases using oligonucleotide platform) Dr. O'Dea
served as CMO and Executive Vice president and registered
"WAYLIVRA® (volanesorsen)" in Europe. The Akcea executive team also
successfully completed out-license deals with Novartis
(>$1 billion) and Pfizer
(>$1 billion) and listed Akcea
Therapeutics on the NASDAQ in 2017.
Dr. O'Dea graduated in Medicine from University College Dublin
and did postdoctoral research at McGill university hospitals,
Massachusetts general
hospital/Harvard university, and was a
member of the Faculty of Medicine at McGill before coming to
industry. He has published 36 papers, co-authored 11 book chapters,
published more than 100 abstracts and filed 3 patent applications.
He also has extensive experience in clinical trials and regulatory
negotiations and meetings in EMA, Japan, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, as well as the US FDA.
[i] https://jlabs.jnjinnovation.com/news/biorchestra-named-awardee-in-nyc-innovation-quickfire-challenge-on-neuroscience
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[ii] https://jlabs.jnjinnovation.com/quickfire-challenges/nyc-innovation-quickfire-challenge-neuroscience
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