Akero Therapeutics Appoints Judy Chou, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Akero Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKRO) announced the appointment of Judy Chou, Ph.D., to its board of directors as an independent director. Dr. Chou brings 25 years of biotech experience, including roles at Bayer Pharmaceuticals and AltruBio, where she managed drug development and biomanufacturing. Her strategic insights are expected to aid Akero’s lead drug, efruxifermin, which is in a Phase 2b clinical trial for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This appointment reflects Akero's commitment to advancing innovative therapies in a critical therapeutic area.

Positive

• Appointment of Judy Chou, a seasoned biotech expert, adds strategic insights to Akero's board.
• Chou's experience in drug development and biomanufacturing could enhance the progress of efruxifermin.
• Akero's lead candidate efruxifermin is progressing in a Phase 2b clinical trial, positioning the company in a significant market.

Negative

• None.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKRO), a cardio-metabolic biotechnology company developing transformational treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), today announced the appointment of Judy Chou, Ph.D., to its board of directors as an independent director.

“Dr. Chou’s expertise in biomanufacturing and protein therapeutic development and experience managing regulatory filings and commercial launches make her an asset to our Board,” said Andrew Cheng, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Akero Therapeutics. "Akero is fortunate to welcome Dr. Chou and benefit from her strategic insights, particularly as our investigational NASH drug efruxifermin progresses in the clinic.”

Judy Chou, Ph.D., is a biotech industry leader with a 25-year track record of driving drug development and biomanufacturing successes in established and emerging growth biopharmaceutical companies. Dr. Chou is currently President & CEO of AltruBio, Inc., a company focused on developing novel therapeutics for immunological diseases. Prior to AltruBio, she was senior vice president and global head of Biotech at Bayer Pharmaceuticals where she oversaw a more than $3 billion biotechnology product portfolio and led drug development and launch activities for the companies’ biologics pipeline. Earlier in her career, Dr. Chou held senior pharmaceutical operations and manufacturing roles at Pfizer, Inc., formerly Medivation, and Tanvex Biopharma, Inc. Before joining the industry, Dr. Chou was a research faculty member at Harvard University Medical School, focused on cell biology and neuroscience research. She received her Ph.D. from Yale University and completed her post-doctoral training at Max-Planck Institute in Germany.

“Akero’s rapid progress advancing a differentiated and potentially best-in-class medicine capable of reversing the effects of NASH and restoring liver health is inspiring and compelling,” said Dr. Chou. “I look forward to working with Akero’s leadership team to guide this novel therapy through the clinic and, if efruxifermin is approved, to introduce it to patients and families.”

About Akero Therapeutics
Akero Therapeutics is a clinical-stage cardio-metabolic company developing transformational treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a disease without any approved therapies. Akero's lead product candidate, efruxifermin (EFX) is a differentiated Fc-FGF21 fusion protein that has been engineered to mimic the balanced biological activity profile of native FGF21, an endogenous hormone that alleviates cellular stress and regulates metabolism throughout the body. EFX is designed to offer convenient once-weekly subcutaneous dosing. The consistency and magnitude of observed effects position EFX to be a potentially best-in-class medicine, if approved, for treatment of NASH. EFX is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b clinical trial in NASH patients with F2/F3 fibrosis, the HARMONY study. Akero is headquartered in South San Francisco. Visit www.akerotx.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Akero's business plans and objectives, including future plans or expectations for EFX, upcoming milestones, and therapeutic effects of EFX, as well as the dosing, safety and tolerability of EFX; Akero’s Phase 2b HARMONY clinical trial; and its growth as a company and the anticipated contribution of the members of our board of directors to our operations and progress. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: risks related to the impact of COVID-19 on Akero's ongoing and future operations, including potential negative impacts on Akero’s employees, third-parties, manufacturers, supply chain and production as well as on global economies and financial markets; the success, cost, and timing of Akero's product candidate development activities and planned clinical trials; Akero's ability to execute on its strategy; positive results from a clinical study may not necessarily be predictive of the results of future or ongoing clinical studies; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; Akero's ability to fund operations; as well as those risks and uncertainties set forth more fully under the caption "Risk Factors" in Akero’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other important factors in Akero’s other filings and reports with the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Akero undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Investor Contact:
Christina Tartaglia
212.362.1200
IR@akerotx.com

Media Contact:
650.487.6488
media@akerotx.com

FAQ

Who is Judy Chou and what is her role at Akero Therapeutics?

Judy Chou, Ph.D., is a newly appointed independent director at Akero Therapeutics, bringing 25 years of experience in biotech and drug development.

How will Judy Chou's appointment impact Akero's NASH drug development?

Chou's expertise in biomanufacturing and regulatory processes is expected to provide valuable strategic support as Akero advances its lead drug, efruxifermin.

What is the current status of Akero's drug efruxifermin?

Efruxifermin is currently in a Phase 2b clinical trial for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

What is Akero Therapeutics focused on?

Akero Therapeutics is focused on developing treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a disease with no approved therapies.

What qualifications does Judy Chou bring to Akero's board?

Judy Chou has extensive experience in drug development, regulatory management, and commercial launches from her past positions at Bayer and AltruBio.