18 Nov Aridis Pharmaceuticals Appoints Dr. Steven Opal to Scientific Advisory Board
SAN JOSE, Calif., November 18, 2014 – Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company applying proprietary technologies to produce novel therapies for infectious disease, announced today the addition of Stephen Opal, M.D., an internationally recognized key opinion leader in the areas of pneumonia and sepsis to the Company’s scientific advisory board.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Vu Truong, Ph.D., stated, “We believe Dr. Opal’s extensive experience investigating bacterial toxins and key mechanisms involved in the establishment of severe bacterial infections will be instrumental to the future success of Aridis Pharmaceuticals. We are honored to add this talented medical professional to our Scientific Advisory Board.”
Dr. Opal is a Professor of Medicine in the Infectious Disease Division of Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island. He has led numerous worldwide, multi-center clinical trials and has served on several data safety monitoring boards. Dr. Opal has authored more than 230 peer-reviewed research articles and edited several academic research journals as well as three textbooks on infectious diseases, endotoxin-mediated diseases, and septic shock. He received his infectious disease training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, his medical training at Albany Medical College and his bachelor’s at Cornell University.
Dr. Opal commented, “I look forward to lending my expertise to help guide and accelerate the advancement of Aridis’ promising pipeline of novel anti-infective therapies. It is exciting to join Aridis’ world-class team at this pivotal stage in the company’s development.”
About Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Aridis is a privately held biopharmaceutical company applying proprietary monoclonal antibody discovery technology MabIgX® and pharmaceutical formulation technologies to produce novel infectious disease focused therapies. Aridis’ product pipeline includes AR-301 anti-Staphylococcus aureus human monoclonal antibody to treat acute pneumonia; AR-101 anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS human monoclonal antibody; Panaecin™, a small molecule anti-infective gallium compound with broad spectrum activities against bacteria, viruses, and fungi; Aerucin™, a broadly reactive monoclonal antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa initially being developed to treat acute pneumonia; AR- 401 anti-Acinetobacter baumannii human monoclonal antibody; and AR-201 anti-RSV human monoclonal antibody.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the therapeutic applications of AR-301, AR-101, Panaecin™, Aerucin™, AR-401, AR-201, Aridis’ proprietary formulation and delivery technologies, about Aridis’ strategy, pre-clinical and clinical programs, and ability to identify and develop drugs, as well as other statements that are not historical facts. Actual events or results may differ materially from Aridis’ expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing, success and cost of Aridis’ research and clinical studies and its ability to obtain additional financing. These forward-looking statements represent Aridis’ judgment as of the date of this release. Aridis disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
Joshua Drumm, Ph.D. (investors)
(212) 375-2664
Amy Wheeler (media)
(212)827-0020