INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Semafore Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an emerging leader in small molecule cancer therapeutics addressing critical PI3 Kinase (PI3K) and PTEN cell signaling pathways, today announced that Dr. Homer L. Pearce has joined the company’s Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Pearce recently retired from Lilly Research Laboratories, where he served as a member of the executive leadership in discovery research. Of particular note was his tenure as vice president of cancer research and clinical investigation. At the time of his retirement, Dr. Pearce held the title of distinguished research fellow.
In his more than 27 years devoted to cancer drug discovery at Lilly, Dr. Pearce was involved in the development of more than 25 investigational drugs which entered clinical trials for cancer, of which three have resulted in regulatory approvals and others are still in development. These drugs, which include Gemzar(R) and Alimta(R), achieved 2005 combined worldwide sales of nearly 2 billion dollars. Another drug which advanced during this period, the molecular targeted therapeutic, enzastaurin, is now in Phase III clinical trials.
“We are honored to have such a distinguished cancer drug developer with the breadth of Dr. Pearce’s experience joining our SAB,” said Dr. Joseph R. Garlich, president and chief scientist of Semafore. “Dr. Pearce’s extensive knowledge of cancer drug development could not come at a better time as Semafore moves into clinical trials with our lead cancer drug SF1126 and brings our other PI3K inhibitor and PTEN programs forward.”
Dr. Pearce currently serves as a business director or scientific advisor to a number of leading research institutions, foundations and biotechnology companies. The recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, Dr. Pearce was most recently named “A Hero of Chemistry” by the American Chemical Society. Dr. Pearce received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University and his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University.
Dr. Richard DiMarchi, Semafore SAB member, chairman of chemistry at Indiana University and former Lilly colleague of Dr. Pearce, commented, “Dr. Pearce represents a unique blend of commercial expertise and research excellence in cancer biology and medicinal chemistry. He will be of great value to Semafore as they prepare for clinical studies with SF1126 and maturation of other pre-clinical assets.”
Gemzar(R) and Alimta(R) are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
About Semafore
Semafore is an Indianapolis-based drug discovery and development company focused on small molecule modulators of the PI3 Kinase (PI3K) and PTEN cell signaling pathway, one of the most promising target pathways for multiple disorders, including the company’s focus -- cancer. Semafore is one of the first biopharmaceutical companies to focus on both PI3K and PTEN and has successfully discovered and is developing a portfolio of drug candidates. The company expects to file an IND for its lead clinical candidate, PI3K inhibitor SF1126, in 2006. Semafore has also discovered the first drug-like small molecule PTEN modulators for cancer therapy, cell protection and therapeutic angiogenesis. For more information see the company’s website at http://www.semaforepharma.com.
Contacts: Semafore Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Derek A. Small Business Development & Regulatory Affairs (317) 876-3075 Media: Barbara Lindheim GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners (212) 918-4650
Semafore Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Semafore Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Derek A. Small, BusinessDevelopment & Regulatory Affairs, +1-317-876-3075; Media - Barbara Lindheimof GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners, +1-212-918-4650
Web site: http://www.semaforepharma.com/
