09 Apr Aridis Pharmaceuticals Adds Craig Gibbs, Ph.D., MBA, to Board of Directors
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 9th, 2015 – Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company applying proprietary technologies to produce novel anti-infectives and immunotherapies for infectious diseases, announced today the appointment of former Gilead Sciences executive Craig Gibbs, Ph.D., MBA, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Gibbs’ broad expertise spans nearly three decades in a variety of research and business roles, including contributing to the development and commercial launch of 12 FDA-approved drugs.
Eric Patzer, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board for Aridis, stated, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Gibbs to our Board. Given his extensive leadership experience, specifically in infectious diseases, we believe his insights will be an invaluable asset to Aridis’ clinical and business objectives. Adding his expertise in preparing products for successful commercial launch will be a key strategic advantage for Aridis as our pipeline rapidly matures.”
Dr. Gibbs commented, “I’m very excited to join Aridis during this time of growth as the company establishes a leadership position in the hospital-based, anti-infectives market. I look forward to working with the talented team already in place and to helping advance its truly unique monoclonal antibody programs further into clinical development and onto commercialization.”
Dr. Gibbs currently serves on the Board of Directors of Tobira Therapeutics and is an advisor to several biotechnology companies and venture capital firms. Prior to his board appointment at Tobira, Dr. Gibbs worked for Gilead Sciences for more than two decades in a variety of leadership positions spanning Research, Corporate Development and, most recently, Vice President of Commercial Strategy/Commercial Planning and Operations. Prior to Gilead, Dr. Gibbs served as a Scientist in the Department of Protein Engineering at Genentech, Inc.
Dr. Gibbs earned his doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Glasgow in Scotland and his MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific works published in many internationally respected journals including Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), and The Lancet.
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-101 anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS human monoclonal antibody; AR-301 anti-Staphylococcus aureus human monoclonal antibody to treat acute pneumonia; Aerucin™, a broadly reactive monoclonal antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa initially being developed to treat acute pneumonia and cystic fibrosis; AR- 401 anti-Acinetobacter baumannii human monoclonal antibody; and AR-201 anti-RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) human monoclonal antibody. Complementing the company’s portfolio of mAbs is PanaecinTM, a novel broad spectrum anti-infective with activities against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
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-101, AR-301, 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
Andrew Mielach (media)
(212) 375-2694