Mariel Therapeutics Appoints World Leading Experts to Inaugural Scientific Advisory Board

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mariel Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage therapeutic company focusing on Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 and its application in Osteoarthritis (OA) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), today announced the appointment of leading experts to its newly formed scientific advisory board. The newly appointed SAB members will serve as a strategic and scientific resource to the company as it continues to develop therapies for OA and CKD.

"We are honored to have such leading experts in the area of Osteoarthritis and Chronic Kidney Disease on our team of advisors," said Joseph Hernandez, Chairman of Mariel Therapeutics. "OA and CKD have an immense economic and quality of life impact on our society. Human recombinant BMP-7 has previously been used in reconstructive bone applications in over 40,000 patients and previous Phase I and Phase IIa trials have been completed in osteoarthritis. Additionally, preclinical data have demonstrated reversal and prevention of kidney fibrosis. We look forward to working with our SAB as we move further into human clinical development."

The inaugural members of Mariel's scientific advisory board include:

• Keith A. Hruska, M.D., Professor in Pediatrics and Professor in Medicine and Cell Biology at the Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Hruska has clinical interest and experience in pediatric and adult kidney disease and chronic kidney diseases. Dr. Hruska is board certified in internal medicine and in nephrology. Dr. Hruska also has previous experience serving on the consulting & advisory boards of other pharmaceutical companies.
• Thomas J. Schnitzer, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Professor in Medicine-Rheumatology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Schnitzer has an interest and experience in clinical trial methodology. Dr. Schnitzer is affiliated with the Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center in Rheumatology.
• Tim McAlindon, M.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at the Tufts Medical Center. Dr. McAlindon has extensive clinical experience in rheumatology and is certified in internal medicine and in rheumatology. Dr. McAlindon is also the Natalie V. Zucker and Milton O. Zucker Chair of Rheumatology and Immunology at Tufts University.
• Felix Eckstein, M.D., is the Director Institute of Anatomy and Musculoskeletal Research at the Paracelsus Private Medical University. Dr. Eckstein received the "Clinical Research Award" at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) at the World Congress of Osteoarthritis in Brussels, Belgium. Dr. Eckstein also serves on the Editorial Board of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, and is Associate Editor of Cell Tissue Organs and Annals of Anatomy.
• Ali Guermazi, M.D., Ph.D., Section Chief of Musculoskeletal Imaging at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Guermazi has an interest in muscoskeletal related diseases. He has contributed extensively to the diagnosis and disease progression assessment of ortheoarthritis, as well as the development of original and widely accepted radiological methods to assess ortheoarthritis disease risk and progression. Dr. Guermazi is also Director of the Quantitative Imaging Center and Professor of Radiology at Boston University School of Medicine.
• David Hunter, M.D., Ph.D., Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology, Professor of Medicine at University of Sydney, and Staff Specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital and North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre.  He earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Master of Sports Medicine at the University of New South Wales. He completed a fellowship in Rheumatology at the Royal Australian College of Physicians, and earned a Masters of Medical Science (Clinical Epidemiology) from the University of Newcastle. He is a member of the Australian College of Physicians, Australian Rheumatology Association, American College of Rheumatology, and International Osteoarthritis Research Society.

About Mariel Therapeutics, Inc.
Mariel Therapeutics, Inc. (Mariel) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the clinical application of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (BMP-7) in osteoarthritis (OA), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and Alport's Syndrome. Mariel acquired the rights to over 450 issued and pending patents as well as BMP-7-related clinical and research data, and the associated biologic materials from Stryker Corporation.

Human recombinant BMP-7 has previously been used in reconstructive bone applications in over 40,000 patients. Previous Phase I and Phase IIa trials have been completed in osteoarthritis.   Mariel intends to advance clinical trial in osteoarthritis (OA) and for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Alport's disease, a genetic kidney fibrosis disease. For more info, please visit www.marieltherapeutics.com

Forward-Looking Statements
These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimate" and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Mariel Therapeutics' current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties associated with completing preclinical and clinical trials for our technologies; the early stage of product development; the significant costs to develop our products as all of our products are currently in development, preclinical studies or clinical trials; obtaining additional financing to support our operations and the development of our products; obtaining regulatory approval for our technologies; anticipated timing of regulatory filings and the potential success in gaining regulatory approval and complying with governmental regulations applicable to our business. Mariel Therapeutics does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof.

CONTACT:

For more information on Mariel Therapeutics please contact:

Mariel Therapeutics, Inc. 
646-829-1281; [email protected] 
www.MarielTherapeutics.com

SOURCE Mariel Therapeutics, Inc.