Relief Therapeutics Announces Transitions in Commercial Organization to Implement Next Phase of Corporate Development

Rhea-AI Summary

Relief Therapeutics announces the appointment of Anthony M. Kim as Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Commercial Operations, effective December 1, 2021. Kim, a seasoned biotech executive, brings extensive U.S. commercial launch experience, aiming to bolster the company's product availability in the U.S., including the PKU GOLIKE(R). Meanwhile, Chris Stijnen will depart the company, with Paolo Galfetti assuming his responsibilities in Europe. The company highlights strategic growth from collaborations with Acer Therapeutics and acquisitions of APR and AdVita in 2021.

Positive

• Appointment of Anthony M. Kim as SVP strengthens U.S. commercial operations.
• Strategic acquisitions of APR and AdVita expand intellectual property and pipeline.
• Potential market expansion for PKU GOLIKE(R) and ACER-001 in U.S.

Negative

• Departure of Chris Stijnen may create transitional challenges in leadership.

• Anthony M. Kim Appointed Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Commercial Operations - Seasoned Biotech Executive Brings Vast U.S. Commercial Launch Experience to Relief
• European and United Kingdom Commercial Operations Transitioned to Paolo Galfetti, President of Relief Europe
• Chris Stijnen to Depart Relief

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / November 9, 2021 / RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA (SIX:RLF, OTCQB:RLFTF) (" Relief "), a biopharmaceutical company seeking to provide patients therapeutic relief from serious diseases with high unmet need, announced today the appointment, effective December 1, 2021, of Anthony M. Kim as Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Commercial Operations. The company also reported that Chris Stijnen, Chief Commercial Officer since 2020, will be leaving to pursue other opportunities effective November 30, 2021. His duties regarding EU and UK commercial operations will be assumed by Paolo Galfetti, President of Relief Europe, and the commercial team at Relief's subsidiary, APR Applied Pharma Research SA (" APR ").

"Our collaboration with Acer Therapeutics and strategic acquisitions of APR and AdVita Lifescience GmbH, all completed in 2021, have allowed us to significantly expand our intellectual property position and pipeline, while bringing, in-house, a number of already marketed products, such as APR's flagship PKU GOLIKE(R), for the treatment of phenylketonuria," stated Raghuram Selvaraju, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Relief. "Anthony's appointment is a direct acknowledgement of our growing corporate needs, our commitment to our-long term growth, and our plans to expand availability of our product candidates in the U.S. including PKU GOLIKE(R). Anthony will also be a key part of Relief's plan to optimize the commercial success of ACER-001 in collaboration with our partner Acer Therapeutics. As a proven commercial leader with extensive launch experience gained during his tenures at Novocure, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Genentech, Anthony is an invaluable addition and we are delighted to welcome him to the Relief team."

Dr. Selvaraju added, "I would also like to acknowledge Chris Stijnen's extensive contributions during his time with the company. His efforts over the past year have been instrumental in helping to drive our strategy and identify key opportunities for growth. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

"I am excited and honored to be joining Relief, and to help further their mission of developing innovative therapies for areas of great unmet medical need," stated Mr. Kim. "I share the company's vision for improving the lives of patients living with acute and rare medical conditions. I look forward to building Relief's presence in the U.S., and to living the values of the organization with integrity, sensitivity, and humility each day."

Prior to joining Relief, for the past three years, Mr. Kim was Vice President, Global Commercial Development at Novocure, where he led a 21-person team in the planning and U.S. marketing execution for that company's Optune(R) and Optune Lua(TM), FDA-approved, therapeutic devices that deliver alternating electrical fields to treat patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme and Mesothelioma.

From 2017 to 2018, he was Executive Director of Marketing at Ignyta (subsequently acquired by Roche), during which time he led the development of the commercial launch plan for entrectinib, an oral, oncologic agent in pan-tumor clinical trials for patients with neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) and ROS1 fusion-positive disease. From 2012 to 2017, Mr. Kim held positions of increasing responsibility at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., most recently serving as Director, Head of U.S. Marketing, Hypophosphatasia, where he managed the U.S. marketing efforts for the launch of Strensiq, a novel, first-in-class enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of hypophosphatasia, a rare inherited metabolic bone disorder. Earlier, from 2004 to 2012, Mr. Kim held various positions at Genentech, including Product Manager, Herceptin Marketing and Divisional Sales Manager, Rituxan Hematology.

Mr. Kim received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School.

ABOUT RELIEF

Relief focuses primarily on clinical-stage programs based on molecules with a history of clinical testing and use in human patients or a strong scientific rationale. Relief's drug candidate, RLF-100(TM) (aviptadil), a synthetic form of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), is in late-stage clinical testing in the U.S. for the treatment of respiratory deficiency due to COVID-19. As part of its pipeline diversification strategy, in March 2021, Relief entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement with Acer Therapeutics for the worldwide development and commercialization of ACER-001. ACER-001 is a taste-masked and immediate release proprietary powder formulation of sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPB) for the treatment of Urea Cycle Disorders and Maple Syrup Urine Disease. In addition, Relief's recently completed acquisitions of APR Applied Pharma Research SA and AdVita Lifescience GmbH, bring to Relief a diverse pipeline of marketed and development-stage programs.

RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol RLF and quoted in the U.S. on OTCQB under the symbol RLFTF. For more information, visit www.relieftherapeutics.com . Follow us on LinkedIn.

CONTACT:
RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA
Jack Weinstein
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
contact@relieftherapeutics.com

FOR MEDIA/INVESTOR INQUIRIES:
Rx Communications Group
Michael Miller
+1-917-633-6086
mmiller@rxir.com

Disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those risks discussed in RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA's filings with the SIX, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE: Relief Therapeutics Holdings AG

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FAQ

Who is the new Head of U.S. Commercial Operations at Relief Therapeutics?

Anthony M. Kim has been appointed as the Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Commercial Operations.

What are the recent changes in Relief Therapeutics' commercial team?

Relief Therapeutics appointed Anthony M. Kim and transitioned Chris Stijnen out, with Paolo Galfetti taking over European operations.

What is the significance of Anthony M. Kim's appointment for Relief Therapeutics?

His extensive experience in commercial launches is expected to enhance Relief's strategy and market presence in the U.S.

What impact do the recent acquisitions have on Relief Therapeutics?

The acquisitions of APR and AdVita are expected to significantly expand Relief's pipeline and intellectual property.

What product candidates is Relief Therapeutics focusing on?

Relief is focusing on PKU GOLIKE(R) and ACER-001 for Urea Cycle Disorders in the U.S.