On July 5, 2018 GT Biopharma Inc. (OTCQB: GTBP) (Euronext Paris: GTBP) reported the promotion of Dr. Raymond W. Urbanski MD, PhD, to the position of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board effective immediately (Press release, GT Biopharma , JUL 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234539528]).

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Dr. Urbanski joined the company in September 2017 as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). He was promoted to President and CMO on May 5, 2018 in recognition for being instrumental in driving key milestones and initiatives which included being a major factor in developing a strong working relationship with the University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, the epicenter of innovation for the TriKE and TetraKE platforms, including the transitioning the first TriKE IND from the University of Minnesota to GT Biopharma while engaging the FDA in preparation for human clinical testing to begin in 2H 2018; implementing processes to expedite the identification and development of future tumor antigen targets; and driving forward our Bi-specific Antibody-Drug Conjugate platform which included the formation of our Antibody-Drug Conjugate Clinical Advisory Board.

Since that time, Dr. Urbanski has continued to push the key programs forward while implementing necessary internal processes and controls to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

"The platform technologies that GT Biopharma has put together from the University of Minnesota has had a major impact on me coming on board. To me, it represented cutting-edge science. We continue to advance the GT Biopharma assets, including the TriKE technology, which I view as the protein version of CAR-T. The TriKEs and TetraKEs will work not only in liquid tumors like current CAR-T therapies, but will work in solid tumors as well, which represents about 80% of patients. More importantly, this novel targeted immunotherapy will have better economics. We continue to progress these assets and I look forward to sharing with our shareholders the corporate developments that are currently happening," said Dr. Urbanski.

Prior to joining GT Biopharma, Dr. Urbanski spent eight years with Pfizer; holding several positions of increasing responsibility with the company, including Vice President/CMO of the Established Products Business Unit, senior medical director of oncology clinical R&D, senior medical director of breast cancer products, and medical director of diversified products.

He has been involved in every phase of drug development and brings extensive experience in developing and overseeing clinical studies, including studies for sunitinib (Sutent), exemestane (Aromasin), irinotecan (Camptosar), epirubicin (Ellence), axitinib, IGF1R inhibitor, and tremelimumab.

In addition to his role with Pfizer, Dr. Urbanski served as Chief Medical Officer of Mylan Inc., Chief Medical Officer of Metabolex Inc., and Senior Director of US Medical Affairs for Aventis.

Dr. Urbanski will continue to represent the company at key international meetings such as the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) conferences; investor conferences; and by recruiting top-tier colleagues, Scientific Advisory Board members, and consultants.

On July 5, 2018 JHL Biotech reported that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE), State Drug Administration of China (SDA) has approved JHL’s Phase I and Phase III Clinical Trial Application for a proposed rituximab biosimilar, JHL1101, to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Press release, JHL Biotech, JUL 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234527700]). JHL will begin clinical trials of JHL1101 in the following months.

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Racho Jordanov, JHL’s Co-Chairman, and CEO stated, "This study adds to the data collected in the JHL1101 EU study and will differentiate JHL from many of its competitors. JHL Biotech is one of the few companies conducting clinical trials with biosimilars globally."

On July 5, 2018 Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:XLRN), a leading biopharmaceutical company in the discovery and development of TGF-beta therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases, reported the appointment of Robert K. Zeldin, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) (Press release, Acceleron Pharma, JUL 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234527634]). Dr. Zeldin brings to Acceleron more than two decades of clinical, regulatory and industry experience, most recently serving as CMO of Belgium-based Ablynx NV.

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"Robert has built an impressive career, holding a variety of leadership positions across clinical development, regulatory, and medical affairs functions," said Habib Dable, Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. "He’s joining us at a critical time for the company as we advance our lead product candidate, luspatercept, in multiple hematologic indications. Moreover, we have ongoing Phase 2 programs with our key, wholly-owned pipeline assets in neuromuscular and pulmonary diseases. Robert’s breadth and depth of experience should prove immensely valuable in executing on our clinical development goals."

As a member of the Executive Committee at Ablynx, Dr. Zeldin contributed to the development and implementation of the overall corporate strategy. He was responsible for the Medical, Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, and Data Management functions and led a team of 60. He joined Ablynx from French pharmaceutical firm Stallergenes SA, where he was Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development. Earlier, he worked for five years at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, the final three as Vice President and U.S. Medical Franchise Head, Respiratory and Dermatology. Dr. Zeldin’s career in industry began at Merck, where he spent seven years in progressively strategic roles in worldwide regulatory affairs and clinical development, rising to the position of Senior Director of Clinical Development with responsibility for products in the respiratory, cardiovascular, and infectious disease therapeutic areas.

"It’s a privilege to join the Acceleron team in the pursuit of novel therapies for serious and rare diseases with significant unmet medical need," said Dr. Zeldin. "Seldom does one have an opportunity to contribute to the development and potential launch of medicines in multiple therapeutic areas for diverse patient populations, all of whom are vastly underserved by current options."

Prior to his work in industry, Dr. Zeldin served as a Medical Officer at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, assessing efficacy and safety data from the clinical development of allergy-related therapies, vaccines, and orphan products. He also spent several years in clinical practice treating patients with allergic, asthmatic, and immunologic disorders. He holds a B.A. with honors from Johns Hopkins University and an M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine. His postdoctoral training included Residency in Internal Medicine at University Health Center of Pittsburgh and Fellowship in Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Zeldin succeeds longtime Acceleron CMO, Matthew Sherman, M.D., who earlier this year announced his planned retirement. Dr. Sherman will remain on staff until the anticipated mid-2018 release of topline Phase 3 data from the BELIEVE trial of luspatercept in beta-thalassemia patients, and will then serve in an advisory capacity for one year thereafter.

On July 5, 2018 JHL Biotech reported that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE), State Drug Administration of China (SDA) has approved JHL’s Phase I and Phase III Clinical Trial Application for a proposed rituximab biosimilar, JHL1101, to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Press release, JHL Biotech, JUL 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234527599]). JHL will begin clinical trials of JHL1101 in the following months.

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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Racho Jordanov, JHL Biotech’s Co-Chairman and CEO stated, "This study adds to the data collected in the JHL1101 EU study and will differentiate JHL from many of its competitors. JHL Biotech is one of the few companies conducting clinical trials with biosimilars globally."

On July 5, 2018 McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) reported that it will release financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018 on Thursday, July 26, 2018, prior to the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (Press release, McKesson, JUL 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234527589]). The company has scheduled a conference call for 8:00 AM Eastern Time (5:00 AM Pacific Time), during which John Hammergren, chairman and chief executive officer, and Britt Vitalone, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will review these results.

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The dial-in number for individuals wishing to participate on the call is 323-994-2093. Craig Mercer, senior vice president, Investor Relations is the leader of the call and the password is ‘McKesson’. The conference call will also be available live and archived on the company’s Investor Relations website at View Source