NewAmsterdam Pharma Appoints Janneke van der Kamp to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

NewAmsterdam Pharma Company (Nasdaq: NAMS) has announced the appointment of Janneke van der Kamp as an independent director on its Board of Directors. Ms. van der Kamp brings over two decades of pharmaceutical experience, particularly in cardiovascular disease. CEO Michael Davidson expressed optimism about her contributions as the company advances its clinical trials for obicetrapib. The company, focused on transforming therapies for metabolic diseases, is preparing for key regulatory milestones, building on promising clinical results showing significant LDL-C reductions with obicetrapib. NewAmsterdam recently completed a business combination with Frazier Lifesciences, raising approximately $328 million.

Positive

• Appointment of Janneke van der Kamp as independent director, bringing valuable experience in cardiovascular disease and commercial strategy.
• Strong clinical trial data for obicetrapib showing median LDL-C reduction of 51% in ROSE Phase 2b trial.
• Business combination with Frazier Lifesciences raising approximately $328 million to support further development.

Negative

• Concerns about continuity and experience gaps with a new board member.

NAARDEN, the Netherlands and MIAMI, April 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewAmsterdam Pharma Company N.V. (Nasdaq: NAMS or “NewAmsterdam Pharma” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage company focused on the research and development of transformative oral therapies for major cardiometabolic diseases, today announced the appointment of Janneke van der Kamp as an independent director to its Board of Directors. Ms. van der Kamp is an established pharmaceutical leader, with two decades of experience launching and growing key brands across several therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular disease.

“We are delighted to welcome Janneke to our Board of Directors as we rapidly advance our registration-enabling clinical trials of obicetrapib and prepare for key clinical and regulatory milestones in the years ahead,” said Michael Davidson, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of NewAmsterdam Pharma. “Janneke has a proven track record of building diverse, efficient commercial organizations and successfully launching industry-leading brands in cardiovascular disease and beyond. We look forward to her many insights we as we begin architecting a commercial strategy for obicetrapib and prepare for our first regulatory filings.”

Ms. van der Kamp currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer and member of the Executive Board of Grünenthal, a global leader in pain management, where she is responsible for global commercial strategy and execution. Prior to joining Grünenthal, Ms. van der Kamp spent two decades in roles of increasing responsibility at Novartis, ultimately serving on the Pharma Executive Committee as Global Head of Product & Portfolio Strategy and then Head of Pharma Region Europe. While at Novartis, Ms. van der Kamp supported the launch of Novartis’ key cardiovascular disease medicines, ENTRESTO® (sacubitril/valsartan) and LEQVIO® (inclisiran), as well as the company’s efforts in immunology, dermatology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, and respiratory disease. Ms. van der Kamp holds an M.B.A. from INSEAD and an M.S. in Chemistry from Utrecht University.

“I am thrilled to join NewAmsterdam’s Board of Directors,” said Ms. van der Kamp. “While the treatment of cardiovascular disease has evolved in recent years, there remains a high unmet need for new therapies that can safely and more effectively lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“LDL-C") to reduce patients’ risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiovascular event. Based on data to-date, I believe obicetrapib could offer a powerful option to thousands of patients and providers. I look forward to working with the NewAmsterdam board and team and leveraging my experience in commercial strategy and execution to support NewAmsterdam in preparing for the registration and potential launch of obicetrapib.”

About NewAmsterdam

NewAmsterdam (Nasdaq: NAMS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to improve patient care in populations with metabolic diseases where currently approved therapies have not been sufficiently successful or well tolerated. NewAmsterdam is investigating obicetrapib, an oral, low-dose and once-daily CETP inhibitor, as the preferred LDL-C lowering therapy to be used as an adjunct to maximally tolerated statin therapy for high-risk cardiovascular disease (“CVD”) patients. Results from NewAmsterdam’s ROSE Phase 2b trial (presented at AHA Scientific Sessions in 2021) included observations that patients receiving obicetrapib 10 mg experienced a median reduction in LDL-C of 51% versus baseline in patients on high-intensity statin therapy (vs. a 7% reduction in the placebo arm). In addition, topline results from NewAmsterdam’s ROSE2 trial evaluating the combination of 10 mg obicetrapib and 10 mg ezetimibe demonstrated a median reduction in LDL-C levels of 59% versus baseline in patients on high-intensity statin therapy (vs. a 6% reduction in the placebo arm). Based in the Netherlands, NewAmsterdam recently completed a business combination with Frazier Lifesciences Acquisition Corporation (“FLAC”), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Frazier Healthcare Partners. Proceeds from this transaction were approximately $328 million, prior to deducting transaction expenses. In June 2022, NewAmsterdam entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with the Menarini Group for the commercialization of obicetrapib in Europe, while retaining all rights to commercialize obicetrapib, if approved, in the rest of the world, as well as rights to develop certain forms of obicetrapib for other diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, please visit: www.newamsterdampharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s cash runway, the therapeutic and curative potential of the Company’s product candidate, the Company’s clinical trials and the achievement or timing of regulatory approvals. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this document, and on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal conditions; risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to the Company; risks related to the approval of the Company’s product candidate and the timing of expected regulatory and business milestones; ability to negotiate definitive contractual arrangements with potential customers; the impact of competitive product candidates; ability to obtain sufficient supply of materials; the impact of COVID-19; global economic and political conditions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict; the effects of competition on the Company’s future business; and those factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-268888) and other documents filed from time to time. Additional risks related to the Company’s business include, but are not limited to: uncertainty regarding outcomes of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials, particularly as they relate to regulatory review and potential approval for its product candidate; risks associated with the Company’s efforts to commercialize a product candidate; the Company’s ability to negotiate and enter into definitive agreements on favorable terms, if at all; the impact of competing product candidates on the Company’s business; intellectual property related claims; the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; ability to continue to source the raw materials for its product candidate. If any of these risks materialize or the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company does not presently know or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this document and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company’s assessments to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessment as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates undertakes any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Media Contact

Spectrum Science on behalf of NewAmsterdam
Bryan Blatstein
P: 917-714-2609
bblatstein@spectrumscience.com

Investor Contact

Stern Investor Relations on behalf of NewAmsterdam
Hannah Deresiewicz
P: 1 212-362-1200
hannah.deresiewicz@sternir.com

FAQ

Who is the new independent director appointed by NewAmsterdam Pharma?

Janneke van der Kamp has been appointed as an independent director on the Board of Directors.

What is the significance of Janneke van der Kamp's appointment for NewAmsterdam Pharma?

Her extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in cardiovascular disease, is expected to enhance the company's strategic direction.

What are the recent developments regarding obicetrapib?

Obicetrapib has shown promising results in clinical trials, with significant LDL-C reduction, and is part of NewAmsterdam's strategy for registration and commercialization.

How much funding did NewAmsterdam Pharma raise from its business combination?

NewAmsterdam raised approximately $328 million from its business combination with Frazier Lifesciences.

What are the key clinical milestones NewAmsterdam Pharma is preparing for?

The company is preparing for key regulatory milestones related to its clinical trials for obicetrapib.