A prominent specialist in drug development, he will accompany Pharmaleads through the next clinical development stages of PL37, the Company's first molecule aimed at treating neuropathic pain
PARIS, July 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pharmaleads, a company specialising in the discovery and early-stage development of small molecule inhibitors of metalloproteases for the treatment of severe pain, announces today that Dr. Pierre-André Wicker is joining the Company's Board of Directors.
A cardiologist by training and a graduate of the Bordeaux Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Pierre-André Wicker has spent most of his career in the pharmaceutical industry in the United States. Having spent five years working for the Cleveland Clinical Foundation, in 1989 he joined Pfizer, where he was responsible for major drug development programs, from early-stage development to phase III, in the fields of cardiovascular pathologies and sexuality.
He was notably one of the developers of sildenafil (Viagra®), one of the world's best-selling drugs for treating erectile dysfunction.
Since 2007, Pierre-André Wicker has been a consultant for the pharmaceutical industry. He provides biotechnology companies and laboratories with his expertise in international clinical development strategy and his knowledge of the regulatory aspects and designing of clinical trial protocols.
Thierry Bourbié, Chairman and CEO of Pharmaleads, comments: "We are delighted that Pharmaleads will be able to benefit from the knowledge and experience of Dr. Pierre-André Wicker, a renowned specialist in international therapeutic molecule development strategies. His advice and support will provide pivotal vision and expertise in PL 37's next development stages, notably in the United States."
Currently in phase IIa, this product from a new therapeutic class, DENKIs, for treating severe pain addresses a global neuropathic pain market worth 6 billion euros in 2015.
The market for Pharmaleads DENKIs
The world market for neuropathic pain management is estimated at €6 billion in 2015. This type of pain, mainly associated with diabetes, shingles, anti-tumoral and antiviral drugs, and surgery, affect 6 to 8% of the population in developed countries. This market is growing at a constant rate of 8 to 10% per annum.
Pharmaleads DENKIs, such as PL37, will constitute a true therapeutic progress in severe pain relief without the side effects of opiates and current treatments.
About Pharmaleads: www.pharmaleads.com
Founded in 2001 and based, in Paris, France, Pharmaleads has developed a coherent set of first-in-class molecules, thanks to its world-class medicinal chemistry expertise, providing ground-breaking solutions in pain treatment. Pharmaleads designs and manages the early-stage development of small protease inhibiting molecules for diagnostic and therapeutic use.
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Pharmaleads Contacts Thierry Bourbié, CEO thierry.bourbie@pharmaleads.com Michel Wurm, MD Development Director Michel.wurm@pharmaleads.com +33 (0) 1 44 06 70 00 |
Press Contact: NewCapMedia Annie-Florence Loyer afloyer@newcap.fr - +33 (0) 1 44 72 00 12 Nadège Le Lezec : nlelezec@newcap.fr - +33 (0) 1 44 72 94 93 |
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