Aileron Therapeutics Issues Statement on Passing of Scientific Advisory Board Member and Nobel Laureate Robert H. Grubbs
Aileron Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ALRN) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Nobel Laureate Robert H. Grubbs, Ph.D., a member of its Scientific Advisory Board since 2011. Grubbs, a prominent chemist, significantly influenced Aileron's stapled peptide technology and the chemoprotective agent ALRN-6924.
His contributions to metathesis reactions enabled the development of specialized drugs and plastics. Aileron vows to honor his legacy by advancing ALRN-6924, aimed at improving the chemotherapy experience for patients with p53-mutated cancers.
- Aileron Therapeutics reinforces commitment to advancing ALRN-6924, potentially improving quality of life for cancer patients.
- Grubbs' contributions to metathesis may enhance the effectiveness and acceptance of ALRN-6924 in clinical applications.
- The loss of Robert H. Grubbs may create continuity concerns in strategic scientific development.
- An experience gap may arise due to Grubbs' absence on the Scientific Advisory Board.
BOSTON, Dec. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aileron Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ALRN) today issued the following statement regarding the passing of Nobel Laureate Robert H. Grubbs, Ph.D., who served as a member of the company's Scientific Advisory Board since 2011.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Bob Grubbs, a legendary chemist whose work has had a profound and far-reaching impact, including on Aileron’s foundational stapled peptide technology and, thus, our chemoprotective agent ALRN-6924. Bob earned many well-deserved accolades for his pioneering work, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. But perhaps what our team will remember most is his sincere humility and kindness. We are truly honored to have known Bob and will continue to honor his brilliant work through the advancement of ALRN-6924 to help cancer patients. Our sincere condolences to his family and his many friends and colleagues at CalTech and beyond.”
Dr. Grubbs served as the Viktor and Elizabeth Atkins Professor of Chemistry at CalTech. He was awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of a chemical reaction known as metathesis, meaning ‘changing places’, a method of organic synthesis. As CalTech’s statement on Dr. Grubbs’ passing explained, “Grubbs developed powerful new catalysts that enabled the synthesis of custom-built molecules with specialized properties that enable, for example, the creation of specialized plastics or more effective drugs for the treatment of disease.” Aileron’s stapled peptide technology, which underlies its novel investigational selective chemoprotective agent ALRN-6924, utilizes the metathesis method developed by Dr. Grubbs. Link here to read CalTech’s full statement.
About Aileron Therapeutics
Aileron is a clinical stage chemoprotection oncology company focused on fundamentally transforming the experience of chemotherapy for cancer patients. ALRN-6924, our first-in-class MDM2/MDMX dual inhibitor, is designed to activate p53, which in turn upregulates p21, a known inhibitor of the cell replication cycle. ALRN-6924 is the only reported chemoprotective agent in clinical development to employ a biomarker strategy, in which we exclusively focus on treating patients with p53-mutated cancers. Our targeted strategy is designed to selectively protect multiple healthy cell types throughout the body from chemotherapy without protecting cancer cells. As a result, healthy cells are spared from chemotherapeutic destruction while chemotherapy continues to kill cancer cells. By reducing or eliminating multiple chemotherapy-induced side effects, ALRN-6924 may improve patients’ quality of life and help them better tolerate chemotherapy. Enhanced tolerability may result in fewer dose reductions or delays of chemotherapy and the potential for improved efficacy.
Our vision is to bring chemoprotection to patients with p53-mutated cancers, which represent approximately
Company Contact:
Liz Melone
617-256-6622
lmelone@aileronrx.com
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