3-V Biosciences Expands Leadership Team, Opens New Facility and Integrates Operations

MENLO PARK, Calif., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- 3-V Biosciences, Inc. announced today the appointment of Stephen R. Brady to the post of Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy & Operations, the consolidation of all preclinical research under Robert S. McDowell, Ph.D. as Vice President, Research, and the integration of the company into new office and lab space in Menlo Park, California.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100513/LA04336)

"We are very pleased to welcome Steve Brady to the 3-V team, and to expand Bob McDowell's responsibilities within the organization, " said David M. Mott, the company's Executive Chairman.  "Steve's broad business experience across a spectrum of innovative biopharmaceutical companies and Bob's extensive background in, and leadership of, small-molecule drug discovery and development, will provide two critical elements as we continue to build and scale 3-V. "

Stephen R. Brady

Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy and Operations

Mr. Brady will be responsible for the company's business functions, including corporate strategic planning, business development, financial operations and legal affairs.  

Prior to joining 3-V, Mr. Brady was the Vice President of Corporate Development of Proteolix, Inc. where he had primary responsibility for Proteolix's business development activities and legal affairs.  Proteolix was acquired in 2009 for $851MM by Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Previously, Mr. Brady served as Senior Corporate Counsel at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he served in business development, communications and corporate legal capacities. Prior to his tenure with Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mr. Brady was a Vice President with Lazard Venture Advisors, a division of Lazard Freres & Co., LLC, and an associate in the New York and San Francisco offices of Morrison & Foerster LLP. Mr. Brady received a B.A. in English from the University of Oregon and a LL.M. from the New York University School of Law.

Robert S. McDowell, Ph.D.

Vice President, Research

Dr. McDowell joined 3-V in 2008 as Vice President of Chemistry.  In his new role as Vice President of Research, he will be responsible for all preclinical research activities.  

Dr. McDowell has 22 years of experience in research and development discovering small molecule drugs in cardiovascular disease, inflammation and oncology, with seven compounds advancing into clinical trials. Prior to joining 3-V, Dr. McDowell was Vice President of Chemistry at Sunesis where he oversaw drug discovery, translational research, and manufacturing functions.  Before joining Sunesis, Dr. McDowell was a Senior Scientist at Genentech where he developed novel strategies for peptidomimetic design that led to multiple compounds advancing into development. Dr. McDowell also led the Structural Chemistry group at Axys Pharmaceuticals and contributed to the Cathepsin K program currently in Phase 3 trials by Merck. Dr. McDowell has authored over 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts and is an inventor on over 20 issued US patents. Dr. McDowell holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley.

New Headquarters and Consolidation of Operations

3-V also announced the opening of its new 20,000 square-foot headquarters and laboratory facility in Menlo Park, California.  The new facilities will accommodate expanded medicinal chemistry, biology and pharmacology, as well as target discovery and validation activities previously conducted in its subsidiary in Zurich, Switzerland.  "Having all corporate functions and R&D operations at one location will enhance collaboration, accelerate decision making and continue to build the culture of innovation at 3-V," said Mr. Mott.

About 3-V Biosciences

3-V Biosciences, Inc. is privately-held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing novel antiviral therapeutics that target the host cell factors required for viral infection, thereby avoiding many of shortcomings of traditional pathogen-directed approaches.

For additional information on 3-V Biosciences, please visit www.3vbio.com.

SOURCE 3-V Biosciences, Inc.