Martin A. Wasserman, PhD, Joins AtheroGenics as Vice President,
Discovery Research & Chief Scientific Officer
ATLANTA, GA - May 2 - AtheroGenics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGIX), an emerging
pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases,
today announced the appointment of noted industry executive Martin A. Wasserman,
Ph.D., as Vice President, Discovery Research and Chief Scientific Officer, reporting
to Russell M. Medford, M.D., Ph.D., President and C.E.O.
Dr. Wasserman joins AtheroGenics from Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he
was Vice President and Senior Distinguished Scientist in the Respiratory and
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Group. Previously, Dr. Wasserman was Director,
Pulmonary Research, Department of Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases at
Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc. In addition to a four-year tenure at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dr.
Wasserman also served in senior research and leadership roles at SmithKline
Beecham Corporation and Pharmacia-Upjohn, Inc.
In his new post, Dr. Wasserman will assume the responsibilities of Dr. William Scott,
who has been serving as an interim Vice President of Discovery Research for
AtheroGenics. Dr. Wasserman will be responsible for advancing the strategic
direction of the company's preclinical research activities, encompassing the
Functional Genomics, Medicinal Chemistry, Preclinical Pharmacology and Molecular
Biology Departments. Dr. Scott will continue to serve as a member of AtheroGenics'
Board of Directors.
"Dr. Wasserman is one of the truly outstanding scientific leaders in the industry,"
said Russell M. Medford, President and C.E.O. of AtheroGenics. "We are extremely
pleased that a scientist of his stature is willing to bring his talents to AtheroGenics.
With results expected in the near- term from our Phase II clinical trial with AGI-1067
in post-angioplasty restenosis, Dr. Wasserman's decision to join our team is a great
validation of the company's promising combination of cutting-edge science, drug
development experience and management expertise. His diverse experience in areas
of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and inflammatory research will help advance
AtheroGenics' goal of building a diversified pipeline of first-in-class therapeutic
products for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases."
Dr. Wassermann is presently on the faculty of Rutgers University College of
Pharmacy as Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and holds three
additional Adjunct Professorships. Among numerous honors, he is a Fellow of the
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; serves on the editorial
advisory boards of several leading journals including the Journal of Pharmacology and
Experimental Therapeutics; and has published 73 peer-reviewed research papers,
101 abstracts and 24 book chapters/review articles. Dr. Wasserman holds a
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy in New
Jersey, and holds Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Pharmacology and Toxicology
from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, where he was also
honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1986.
"I am excited by the opportunity to participate in the growth of AtheroGenics," said
Dr. Wasserman. "I believe the company's proprietary v-protectant technology brings
new promise to the field of therapeutics targeting chronic inflammatory diseases. It is
with great enthusiasm that I join this industry innovator and become part of a
company with such enormous potential."
About AtheroGenics
AtheroGenics is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of
novel drugs for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as heart disease
(atherosclerosis), rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. AtheroGenics has completed
dosing of its lead compound, AGI-1067, in a 300-patient Phase II clinical study,
called CART-1, for the treatment of post-angioplasty restenosis, and expects to
report results in the next few weeks. The company recently commenced enrollment
in a Phase I clinical study for AGIX-4207, a novel oral agent being developed for the
treatment of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. For more information
about AtheroGenics, please visit www.atherogenics.com. |
