Oncoceutics announced the appointment of Minesh Mehta, MD, FASTRO, to the company’s Board of Directors.
Philadelphia, PA (February 9, 2018) – Oncoceutics announced the appointment of Minesh Mehta, MD, FASTRO, to the company’s Board of Directors.
Dr. Mehta is a widely renowned expert in radiation oncology, clinical research and translational medicine. He has a specific interest in brain cancers and has led numerous clinical trials and development programs in this field. Currently, Dr. Mehta is a member of the executive leadership of Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida and Chief of Radiation Oncology. He has held major leadership positions at Northwestern University in Chicago, University of Wisconsin and within national cooperative groups such as NRG Oncology Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, the North American Brain Tumor Consortium, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and the Children’s Cooperative Group. Dr. Mehta also served on the board of Pharmacyclics, prior to the company’s acquisition by AbbVie.
“Minesh Mehta has been a prominent leader in the field of brain cancer and has spearheaded numerous clinical programs that have allowed deeper insights into the complexities of these diseases.” said Wolfgang Oster MD, PhD, CEO of Oncoceutics. “He is an expert who appreciates the intersection of academic research, industry drug development, regulatory requirements, and the market. His advice will be critical for our path forward to develop Oncoceutics’ imipridone portfolio, including our lead compound ONC201, for brain cancers and other neurological malignancies.”
“The field of brain cancer, and neuro-oncology in general, requires new concepts to antagonize and eradicate tumors that are largely resistant to drug treatments,” said Dr. Mehta. “Oncoceutics’ approach, targeting neurotransmitter pathways by antagonizing dopamine receptors, has generated compelling evidence that suggest a meaningful role of this new paradigm in the therapy of brain malignancies.”
About Oncoceutics
Oncoceutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company with a novel class of compounds that selectively target G protein-coupled receptors for oncology. The first lead compound to result from this program is ONC201, an orally active DRD2 small molecule antagonist that is well-tolerated and effective against advanced cancers. The company recently completed a successful Phase I study in solid tumors and has begun additional Phase I/II and Phase II clinical programs in both solid and hematological malignancies. Oncoceutics and collaborative groups have received significant grants over the last two years, from institutions such as the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and The Musella Foundation. In addition, outside interest in the company’s portfolio has resulted in several R&D alliance agreements and collaborations between Oncoceutics and leading cancer research institutions, including The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the NIH/NCI, Harvard and the Fox Chase Cancer Center. The company has established a robust intellectual property position, including several issued patents.
