BIORCHESTRA appoints pharma veteran and Moderna and Akcea (Ionis) CMO "Dr. Louis St. L. O'Dea" as CMO of BIORCHESTRA
PR91863
BOSTON, Sept. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
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, BIOCHESTRA 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]
[ii]
https://jlabs.jnjinnovation.com/quickfire-challenges/nyc-innovation-quickfire-challenge-neuroscience
Source: BIORCHESTRA Co., Ltd.
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Caption: Dr. Louis St. L. O'Dea
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