Destiny Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel antimicrobial drugs, which address the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), has formed a new Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to provide expert, independent analysis of the company’s research and clinical development plans and to help in developing clinical strategies for its unique XF Platform.
The company has appointed five leading experts in infection and hospital care to guide the strategy for the development of its novel antimicrobial drug platform.
David Roblin, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, said: “There is an urgent global need for new antimicrobials to meet the challenge of rising levels of drug-resistant infections. In the past two decades there has been a lack of innovation in developing novel antibiotic classes, which is central to the issue of drug-resistant infections."
"Destiny Pharma’s XF series of molecules provide the potential for such innovation and I look forward to advising the Destiny Pharma team to ensure we maximise the opportunity in the portfolio and speed new medicines to patients.”
Neil Clark, CEO of Destiny Pharma, added: “We are excited to announce the formation of such a strong Scientific Advisory Board of recognised key opinion leaders in the fields of infection and hospital care. Their extensive insight and experience will be invaluable as we finalise plans for the development of our lead programme, XF-73 and our earlier pipeline.”
The members of the Scientific Advisory Board are:
David Roblin MD FRCP FFPM FMedSci – SAB Chair
Professor David Roblin is President of Research and Development at Summit Therapeutics. Roblin served as a non-executive Director on the Destiny Pharma board of directors from 2011 to May 2017.
Richard A. Proctor, MD
Dr Richard A. Proctor is the Professor Emeritus of Department of Medical Microbiology/Immunology and Professor Emeritus of Department of Medicine at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, Wisconsin. He also served as Global Director of Infectious Diseases for Merck Research for Antibiotics and Antifungals from 2008 to 2010.
Vance Garrison Fowler Jr, MD, MHS
Professor Vance Fowler is a clinician scientist focused on clinical and translational research involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria. He is a professor in the Departments of Medicine and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology at Duke University Medical Center and for two decades he has focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).
Leonard Alan Mermel, DO, ScM, AM (Hon.), FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA
Dr Mermel was a Technical Expert Panel Member of the Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System, US Dept. of Health and Human Services. He was the 2005 President of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the 2014 SHEA Mentor Scholar Award recipient, which honours individuals who are recognised for their dedication and excellence in mentoring trainees in infection prevention and control.
Glenn J.R. Whitman, MD
Dr Glenn Whitman is a Professor of Surgery, in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the Director of the CVSICU at Johns Hopkins Hospital and has recently stepped down as the Director of Cardiac Transplantation, a position he held for the past 7 years.