CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC, a clinical-stage drug-development company commercializing first-in-class drugs to treat serious or life-threatening unmet medical conditions, today announced that David R. Jones, M.D., has joined its staff as Chief Medical Officer and member of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). In addition, Guy M. Chisolm, Ph.D., has also joined its SAB. The Company's SAB is comprised of noted scientists and clinicians and provides Diffusion's leadership team with critical scientific and medical input on the Company's strategic direction.

Dr. Jones is Professor of Surgery and currently serves as the Division Chief for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Virginia. He received his M.D. from West Virginia University, his surgical training from West Virginia University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then did a postdoctoral research fellowship in molecular oncology at UNC-Chapel Hill. While serving as Diffusion's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jones will retain his position with the University of Virginia.

Dr. Jones has published more than 110 scientific articles, authored or co-authored approximately 25 book chapters, and served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator of 17 clinical trials. He has given over 200 presentations on his clinical and research interests nationally and internationally. He currently is the Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on 4 major grants from the NIH and is the PI on multiple other grants from industry and various foundations.

Dr. Guy Chisolm is currently Vice Chairman of the Lerner Research Institute of Cleveland Clinic where he is a Professor of Cell Biology. Dr. Chisolm received a BS from the University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and postdoctoral research training from the Karolinska Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Chisolm has published more than 110 scientific articles, most on vascular biology and the cell biology of atherosclerosis. His laboratory has studied the oxidation of low density lipoprotein and oxidized LDL's influence on gene expression, programmed cell death, cell proliferation, pro-coagulation processes and "foam cell" formation. Dr. Chisolm has served on Cleveland Clinic's Board of Governors and Board of Trustees. He is also actively involved in numerous aspects of Cleveland Clinic's new medical school, the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU, where he is co-director of the school's Basic Science Curriculum, and sits on the Admissions, Faculty Appointments and Promotions, Student Promotion and GI Curriculum committees.

"We are fortunate and privileged to have both Dr. Jones and Dr. Chisolm join our efforts to develop new treatments for serious and life-threatening unmet medical needs," says David Kalergis, Diffusion Pharmaceuticals' Chief Executive Officer. "We will benefit from their expert advice and years of experience in science and medicine."

Jones and Chisolm join other distinguished researchers on the Company's SAB, which includes John L. Gainer, Ph.D. (Chair); Stuart A. Grossman, M.D.; and John A. Jane Sr., M.D., Ph.D., FRCS.

About Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC

Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC is a clinical-stage drug-development company commercializing a family of first-in-class drug candidates to treat serious or life-threatening medical conditions. These proprietary small molecules use a novel method of action to enhance oxygen diffusion to oxygen-deprived (hypoxic) tissue. Potential clinical applications include cancer, critical care uses such as trauma, hemorrhage, stroke, and heart attack, as well as chronic conditions such as peripheral arterial and vascular disease, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders. A Phase I study in healthy subjects for Diffusion's lead molecule, trans sodium crocetinate (TSC), was successfully completed in 2007. The company is currently completing enrollment in a Phase I/II dose-range-finding, safety and efficacy study of TSC in peripheral arterial disease patients suffering from intermittent claudication. This study is designated NCT00725881 on the clinicaltrials.gov Website. Diffusion Pharmaceuticals, which is privately held, is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. For more information, visit www.diffusionpharma.com.

SOURCE Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.diffusionpharma.com