CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Edimer Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focused on developing an innovative therapy for the rare genetic disorder, X-linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (XLHED), today announced the appointment of William Aliski and Wendy L. Dixon, Ph.D. to the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Aliski, a global biotech executive and orphan disease expert, and Dr. Dixon, an industry veteran who has launched more than 20 pharmaceutical products, will serve as independent directors for Edimer. With these additions, Edimer extends gratitude and appreciation for the counsel provided by Dan Lynch who will now step down from his position on the Board.
“We are at an important inflection point for our company. We have recently completed dosing in our Phase 1 clinical trial of EDI200 and we will soon be recruiting subjects for the Phase 2 neonate trial,” said Neil Kirby, Ph.D., President and CEO of Edimer. “We enthusiastically welcome Bill and Wendy to the Board. I am confident that their broad expertise and experience will be of tremendous value as we enter the next phase of Edimer’s development.”
“Edimer is pioneering a whole new approach for the treatment of a genetic disease,” said Mr. Aliski. “I look forward to sharing my experience in the orphan disease market to help achieve success for Edimer and especially for future generations affected by XLHED.”
“It is exciting to be part of a company that is leveraging such an innovative approach to address such a severe and potentially life-threatening disease,” said Dr. Dixon. “I look forward to working closely with the Edimer team to deliver on this unprecedented endeavor.”
Mr. Aliski has twenty five years experience in the biotechnology industry, with the majority of that time focused on the orphan drug market. Bill has held leadership positions in a variety of settings from start-up to well established global companies, with responsibility for bringing orphan drugs to market and addressing the challenges of market access around the world. In the U.S., he established the first comprehensive Patient Assistance Program for Genzyme to support their flagship product Ceredase/Cerezyme. As General Manger for Biomarin Europe, he established the company in the European Union and launched Naglazyme for Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (MPS VI). More recently he was the Chief Commercial Officer for FoldRx, which was acquired by Pfizer in 2010, and established pre- approval sales initiative for Vyndaqel in Europe. Bill now serves on the Board of Directors of Ultragenyx, a development stage company focused on ultra orphan diseases. He received a B.S. in Economics from Boston College and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Dr. Dixon was formerly the Chief Marketing Officer and President of Global Marketing for Bristol-Myers Squibb. Her 34-year career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries has included senior roles in drug development, regulatory affairs, and commercialization. During her career, Dr. Dixon has launched and driven the growth of more than 20 pharmaceutical products including Tagamet, Fosamax, Singulair, Plavix, Abilify, Reyataz and Baraclude. Previously she held a series of leadership positions at Merck, West Pharmaceuticals, Osteotech and Centocor. Dr. Dixon serves on the boards of directors of Alkermes PLC, Incyte Corporation, Orexigen Therapeutics, Furiex Pharmaceuticals and formerly on Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (sold to AstraZeneca PLC in 2012) and Dentsply International. She received her MSc and BSc in Natural Science and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Cambridge.
About EDI200
EDI200 is an ectodysplasin-A (EDA-A1) replacement protein, representing the first of a new class of molecules rationally designed to correct a specific developmental disorder. EDI200 has been shown to bind specifically to the EDA-A1 receptor, activating the signaling pathways that lead to normal development. EDI200 has demonstrated substantial and durable efficacy in animal models of XLHED with notable reduction in mortality and morbidity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug designation and Fast Track status to EDI200. EDI200 also has orphan drug designation in Europe.
About XLHED
XLHED (also known as Christ-Siemens-Touraine Syndrome) is a rare disorder of development resulting from genetic mutations in the ectodysplasin gene (EDA). Patients affected by XLHED are at risk for life-threatening hyperthermia based on their inability to regulate body temperature, and for clinically-significant pneumonias resulting from their abnormality in respiratory secretions. Cardinal signs and symptoms in XLHED include diminished/absent sweat, reduced and abnormal airway secretions, few and often misshapen teeth, and absent or early hair loss from face and scalp.
XLHED patients surviving infancy are predisposed to atopy presenting with eczema and asthma, chronic sinusitis, recurrent nose bleeds, and dry eye complications. Almost uniformly they require dental interventions including early prostheses and later implants. Their susceptibility to hyperthermia, facial appearance, abnormal dentition and hair loss may impact normal participation in outdoor activities, sports and school attendance. Both medical and self-esteem issues are life-long in this disorder. As is generally true with X-linked inheritance, males are fully affected while females are variably affected.
About Edimer Pharmaceuticals
Edimer is a privately held biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts dedicated to delivering a significant and durable improvement in the health and quality of life for future generations affected by XLHED. Edimer was established in 2009 with investment from Third Rock Ventures and VI Partners.
For further information on Edimer Pharmaceuticals, please visit www.edimerpharma.com. To receive regular updates about Edimer Pharmaceuticals’ progress please join the XLHED network at www.xlhednetwork.com.
