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Bell, PA – November 7, 2007 – |
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VGX Pharmaceuticals announced today the promotions
of Dr. Niranjan Y. Sardesai to Senior Vice President, Research & Development
and Jessica C. Lee to Senior Director, Clinical Development.
Prior to this promotion, Dr. Sardesai served as VGX’s Vice President
of Product Development. He is an experienced veteran of the pharmaceutical
industry, with a special focus on R&D and Management of Technology.
Prior to joining VGX, Dr. Sardesai was the President of Nvision Consulting,
Inc. He also served as the Director of R&D and Director of Applied
Research at the Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc, where he oversaw all aspects
of the company’s R&D activities, with a special focus on new
product development. Prior to Fujirebio, he worked as a Senior Scientist
at IGEN International, Inc. In his new position, Dr. Sardesai will report
to Dr. J. Joseph Kim, VGX’s President and CEO, and will oversee
all R&D and manufacturing operations for the Company.
“Niranjan has been leading our efforts to develop a variety of products
critical to the Company’s growth,” said Dr. Kim. “This
promotion recognizes Niranjan’s critical leadership efforts and
I expect him to continue to manage our progress in these areas.”
Dr. Sardesai received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the California Institute
of Technology and an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton
School of the University of Pennsylvania. He also completed post-doctoral
fellowships at the Scripps Research Institute and the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology. Dr. Sardesai graduated at the top of his class to receive
his M. Sc. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology.
Since joining the Company as Director of Clinical Development, Jessica
Lee has been actively managing the development of VGX’s clinical
programs. In her new capacity, Ms. Lee will continue to manage the development
and implementation of various clinical studies for the Company’s
prolific small molecule and DNA vaccines programs. She will continue to
report to Dr. C. Jo White, VGX’s Chief Medical Officer.
“Jessica’s extensive experience and clinical management skills
have been very important in leading the Company’s clinical development
not only for on-going clinical studies but also for preparing and initiating
VGX’s new clinical projects,” said Dr. Kim. “She has
been a true asset to our organization.”
Ms. Lee has over 12 years of experience in drug and vaccine developments
at several major pharmaceutical companies including Bristol-Myers Squibb,
Merck, and GlaxoSmithKline. She has extensive experience in Phase I through
NDA and has managed multi-center/ multi-national clinical trials. She
played key roles in the development of drugs and vaccines for HIV-1, HPV,
and Hepatitis B and C. Ms. Lee began her professional career as a scientist
in various academic laboratories including Thomas Jefferson University
and the Wistar Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Lee received
her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Drexel University and her
Master of Science degree from Temple University School of Pharmacy.
Cautionary
Factors That May Affect Future Results - Materials in this
Web site contain information that includes or is based upon forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or
forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the
fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.
They use words such as "anticipate," "estimate,"
"expect," "project," "intend," "plan,"
"believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning
in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances
or future operating or financial performance. In particular, these
include statements relating to future actions, prospective products
or product approvals, future performance or results of current and
anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies
such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Any or all of our
forward-looking statements here or in other publications may turn
out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or
by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will
be important in determining our actual future results. Consequently,
no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and forward-looking
statements may be adversely affected by factors, including general
market conditions, competitive product development, product availability,
current and future branded and generic competition, federal and state
regulations and legislation, manufacturing issues, timing of the elimination
of trade buying, patent positions, litigations and investigations.
Our actual results may vary materially, and there are no guarantees
about the performance or valuation of VGX stock. It is also important
to read the disclosure notice contained in many of the individual
VGX documents available on this Web site as many contain important
information on such cautionary factors as of the date of the individual
document. We undertake no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures
we make on related subjects in our reports. |
About VGX
Pharmaceuticals
VGX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company with small molecule and
biologic product candidates for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer,
and inflammatory diseases. The Company's clinical development programs include
PICTOVIR™ for HIV infection and VGX-410C for chronic HCV infection,
both of which are currently in Phase II clinical trials. In addition, VGX
is planning to initiate Phase I clinical studies for VGX-1027, its lead
compound for inflammatory diseases. VGX's research pipeline includes a new
generation of DNA vaccines and therapeutics as well as CELLECTRA™,
a patented DNA delivery device. The product candidates and technology programs
are protected by the Company's extensive global intellectual property portfolio.
More information about VGX can be found at www.vgxp.com.
Company Contact:
Kevin W. Rassas
Senior Vice President
Tel. 267.440.4208
Fax 267.440.4242
E-mail: Rassas@vgxp.com
www.vgxp.com
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