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Venatorx Pharmaceuticals Appoints Tomas J. Heyman as Non-Executive Chairman

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Venatorx Pharmaceuticals announces a significant change in its Board of Directors. Tomas J. Heyman has been appointed as the Non-Executive Chairman, succeeding Dr. Michael Diem, who has stepped down after six years of service. Heyman brings over 37 years of biopharmaceutical experience, including corporate strategy and business development, having managed $1.5 billion in capital at Johnson & Johnson's venture capital group. The company is focused on addressing multi-drug resistant infections with its lead product, cefepime-taniborbactam, which it plans to submit for FDA approval in 2023.

Positive
  • Appointment of Tomas J. Heyman as Non-Executive Chairman brings extensive biopharmaceutical experience.
  • Heyman's background includes managing $1.5 billion in investments which can bolster the company’s strategic direction.
Negative
  • Dr. Michael Diem's departure may raise concerns regarding continuity and experience in the board.

Dr. Michael Diem Steps Down from Board of Directors

MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, a private, clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on improving health outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat drug resistant gram-negative bacterial infections and viral infections, today announced changes to its Board of Directors. Tomas J. Heyman has been appointed to the Board of Directors as the newly created role of Non-Executive Chairman. In addition, Dr. Michael Diem has stepped down from the Board of Directors from his role as Independent Director after serving for six years.

“We are pleased to welcome Tom Heyman to our Board of Directors, “ said Christopher J. Burns, President and Chief Executive Officer. “As a highly respected and seasoned executive and board member, Tom brings a diverse breadth of industry experience across multiple disciplines that will benefit Venatorx as we continue to progress our pipeline of novel anti-infective therapies.

“On behalf of the entire Company, I would like to personally thank Mike Diem for his unwavering commitment to Venatorx as an Independent Director on the Board for the past six years. We appreciate his contributions along with the endless support and guidance he has shared in helping the Company to achieve its mission.”

"I believe Venatorx is well positioned to address the growing global crisis of antibiotic multi-drug resistant infections," said Heyman. "I'm very happy to join the Venatorx Board as Chairman as the Company continues to grow, achieve its scientific and regulatory milestones, and ultimately deliver new anti-infective therapies to patients in need."

About Tomas J. Heyman

Tomas Heyman brings more than 37 years of biopharmaceutical experience in corporate strategy, business development, venture capital, as well as R&D, legal and operational management experience to Venatorx’s Board. He spent his entire career at Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates both in the USA and in Belgium and retired from the company in September 2019. As president of JJDC, Johnson & Johnson’s corporate venture capital group, from 2015 until his retirement, Heyman managed approximately $1.5 billion in capital and oversaw investments in more than 120 companies. Prior to leading JJDC, he led business development for J&J’s pharmaceutical group, Janssen, for over 20 years, completing hundreds of licensing and M&A transactions. He was also the managing director of Janssen Pharmaceutica, Belgium, J&J’s largest subsidiary outside the U.S., and vice president of licensing at Ortho Pharmaceutical, a J&J affiliate. Heyman currently serves as a member of the boards of directors of Xilio Therapeutics, Legend Biotech, Akero Therapeutics, OptiNose, and Invivyd (formerly Adagio Therapeutics Inc.). He earned a Master of Law degree from K.U. Leuven in Belgium and completed post-graduate studies in international law in Geneva, Switzerland, and post-graduate studies in business management at the University of Antwerp in Belgium.

About Venatorx Pharmaceuticals

Venatorx is a private, late-stage clinical pharmaceutical company focused on improving health outcomes for patients with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and hard-to-treat viral infections. Venatorx’s lead program, cefepime-taniborbactam, is a clinical-stage antibiotic that completed a Phase 3 study (CERTAIN-1) in adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis. Based on positive results from the CERTAIN-1 clinical trial, the Company expects to submit a New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cefepime-taniborbactam in 2023. In October 2022, BARDA awarded a contract of up to $318M for development and procurement of cefepime-taniborbactam for the treatment of melioidosis and multi-drug resistant infections. Venatorx is also developing an oral antibacterial, ceftibuten-ledaborbactam, for the treatment of cUTI, including pyelonephritis, caused by certain bacteria in adult patients with limited treatment options; this product is nearing completion of Phase 1. For more information about Venatorx and its anti-infectives portfolio, please visit www.venatorx.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding the potential, safety, efficacy, and regulatory and clinical development of Venatorx Pharmaceuticals’ product candidates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jennifer Guinan

Sage Strategic Marketing

jennifer@sagestrat.com

610.410.8111

Source: Venatorx Pharmaceuticals

FAQ

Who has been appointed as the new chairman of Venatorx Pharmaceuticals?

Tomas J. Heyman has been appointed as the Non-Executive Chairman.

What is the significance of Tomas Heyman's appointment to Venatorx Pharmaceuticals?

Heyman's extensive experience in biopharmaceuticals and venture capital is expected to benefit the company's strategic direction.

What product is Venatorx Pharmaceuticals planning to submit for FDA approval in 2023?

Venatorx Pharmaceuticals plans to submit cefepime-taniborbactam for FDA approval in 2023.

Why did Dr. Michael Diem step down from the Board of Directors?

Dr. Michael Diem stepped down after serving for six years; the press release did not specify the reasons for his departure.

What is the focus of Venatorx Pharmaceuticals?

Venatorx Pharmaceuticals focuses on developing therapies for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections and viral infections.

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