Novira Therapeutics Expands Management Team with Appointment of Klaus Klumpp, Ph.D., the Former Global Head of Roche's Virology Discovery Initiatives, as Vice President Discovery Research

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Novira Therapeutics Inc., today announced the expansion of its senior management team with the appointment of Klaus Klumpp, Ph.D., as vice president, discovery research. Dr. Klumpp will build an internal virology team focused on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and will oversee biology research at Novira.

"The addition of Klaus is an important step in the growth of our company as we transition from a discovery stage company into a development stage company," said Osvaldo Flores, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer of Novira. "We are excited to welcome Klaus to our team. His expertise and outstanding record of accomplishments in antiviral drug discovery and clinical development further strengthen Novira's capabilities. Dr. Klumpp will be instrumental in our efforts to build a world class virology team, develop powerful tools to characterize mechanisms of HBV persistence and to develop innovative drugs that can cure chronic HBV infection."

Prior to joining Novira, Dr. Klumpp led research and development activities for more than 15 years at Roche, including leadership of teams at the company's locations in Welwyn Garden City, U.K., Palo Alto, Calif., and most recently Nutley, N.J. At the New Jersey site, he was vice president and global head of virology discovery.

Dr. Klumpp has an established track record of successful research and development activities that has involved collaborations with other companies and academic laboratories. He was responsible for the discovery and transition into clinical development of a number of new leads and drug candidates for the treatment of acute and chronic viral diseases, including influenza, hepatitis C, HBV, Dengue and HIV. In addition, he supported the clinical development of antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza virus infection and Balapiravir, Mericitabine and Danoprevir, new antiviral agents for the treatment of HCV infection.

Dr. Klumpp received a doctorate in virology from work performed at the Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, Kent, U.K ., at the European Molecular Biology Laboratories (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany, and  at the EMBL in Grenoble, France. He holds a diploma degree in biology from the Technical University Darmstadt, Germany.

About Novira Therapeutics
Novira Therapeutics is focused on the discovery of first-in-class antiviral therapeutics for the treatment of chronic HBV infection, a global disease with a high level of unmet medical need. Novira's oral drugs target the core protein of the virus and offer a promising treatment option both as monotherapy and in combination with current standards of care. The company's antivirals potentially address limitations in treating chronic HBV infection, a disease for which the only class of oral drugs available, polymerase inhibitors, is rarely curative despite lifelong treatment.

For more information, visit www.noviratherapeutics.com.

Contacts:

Corporate Contact
Osvaldo Flores, Ph.D.
President, CSO
[email protected]

Media Contacts
David Schull                      
Matt Middleman, M.D.                                 
Russo Partners                                        
T: 212-845-4271                              
T: (212) 845-4272
[email protected]
[email protected]

SOURCE Novira Therapeutics Inc.