Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc. Appoints Douglas J. Manion M.D. as Chief Executive Officer

NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of immunotherapies utilizing small molecules to activate an individual's own immune system to fight against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today the appointment of Douglas J. Manion, M.D. FRCP(C) as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Dr. David Spiegel M.D., Ph.D., co-founder of Kleo, takes the role of President, Kleo Laboratories. Dr. Manion will also serve on the company's Board of Directors. Dr. Manion has had senior leadership roles in advancing therapies for a wide range of therapeutic areas including oncology, infectious diseases, autoimmunity, cardiology, metabolic diseases, genetically-defined diseases and fibrosis. He has been involved with the initial approval or life-cycle expansion of over 20 major brands, 10 of which reached blockbuster status globally.

"Doug brings an incredible wealth of drug discovery and development expertise and experience to the Kleo team. Without a doubt, the addition of Doug will further accelerate Kleo's place as a leader in the field of immunotherapy be it in cancer, infectious diseases or other areas of high unmet medical need," said Declan Doogan, M.D., Chairman of the Board, Kleo Pharmaceuticals.

"We are delighted to welcome Doug to Kleo. It was clear from day one that Doug shared our passion for bringing innovative immunotherapy solutions to patients in need. His extensive experience and broad connections to the pharmaceutical and investor communities will be invaluable as Kleo Pharmaceuticals evolves into an industry leader," said David Spiegel.

"I am thrilled to join Kleo Pharmaceuticals as it accelerates its quest to provide novel immunotherapies for patients with high unmet medical need. The science is so compelling. I look forward to partnering with the scientists at Kleo led by David Spiegel and the rest of the team, in advancing a truly innovative approach to enlist patients' own immune systems to fight serious disease," said Doug Manion.

Doug is a drug discovery and development leader with over 20 years of experience including Dupont Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline and, most recently, Bristol-Myers Squibb. He earned a B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering prior to his Medical Degree both from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He completed training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases in Ottawa and a post-doctoral fellowship in bench and clinical research in HIV/AIDS at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston. He is currently a non-executive Board Member for Celleron Therapeutics in Oxford, UK.

About Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc.  

Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biotechnology company initially formed on the basis of intellectual property from the Spiegel Lab at Yale University. The company was founded by Dr. David Spiegel and Roy Prieb and is focused on developing a new class of targeted immunotherapies. The company is based in New Haven, CT. Further information regarding Kleo can be found at: http://kleopharmaceuticals.com.

About Biohaven

Biohaven (NYSE: BHVN) provided the initial Series A funding to Kleo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and entered into a master services agreement to provide clinical development support to help advance Kleo's small molecule, immune based therapeutics called Antibody Recruiting Molecules (ARMs) and Synthetic Antibody Mimics (SyAMS). Biohaven is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, late-stage product candidates targeting neurological diseases, including rare disorders. Biohaven has licensed intellectual property from companies and institutions including Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AstraZeneca AB, Yale University, Catalent, ALS Biopharma LLC, Rutgers and Massachusetts General Hospital. Biohaven is a company organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and its United States operations are based in New Haven, Connecticut.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal and Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company's plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "will," "plan," "could," "may" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements including receipt of regulatory approvals and market conditions. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact:
Roy Prieb
Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc.
203-691-6361 x2202 
email: [email protected]
website: www.kleopharmaceuticals.com

SOURCE Kleo Pharmaceuticals Inc.