BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 15, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB:VQPH) has named Pamela Harris, MD, to the role of chief medical officer. Dr. Harris brings to VioQuest extensive pharmaceutical industry knowledge and experience in clinical development and the regulatory approval process, particularly in the area of oncology.
Prior to joining VioQuest, Dr. Harris served as chief medical officer at Callisto Pharmaceuticals, Inc. She was previously senior medical director for Pfizer, where she was responsible for U.S. development of Aromasin, an aromatase inhibitor for breast cancer, and Epirubicin, an anthracycline for adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer. Prior to Pfizer, Dr. Harris served in different capacities in clinical research focused mainly in oncology drug research at Hoffman-La Roche Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, U.S. Bioscience, Inc, and a clinical practice focused on clinical investigation of new drugs.
"Pamela's extensive experience in the clinical development of new cancer drugs, combined with her unique insight on bringing drugs through the regulatory process, will help round out VioQuest's leadership team and bring the clinical depth which is critical for the success of the Company," said Daniel Greenleaf, VioQuest's chief executive officer. "With her considerable background in oncology, both as a practicing physician and through industry experience in the world-wide clinical development of cancer therapeutics, we feel exceptionally fortunate to have her as our Chief Medical Officer of VioQuest."
Dr. Harris, who is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology, received her M.D. degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio. This was followed by an internship and residency at the Washington Hospital, Washington, DC. Dr. Harris has had fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Georgetown University - Lombardi Cancer Center, George Washington University Hospital, and the Jackson Memorial Cancer Center.
About VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
VioQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. acquires, develops and commercializes targeted late preclinical and early clinical stage therapies with unique mechanisms of action for oncology, viral and autoimmune disorders. A leader in personalized therapeutics, VioQuest has two targeted therapeutics in clinic trials: VQD-001, an inhibitor of specific protein tyrosine phosphatases, has shown compelling preclinical activity in both renal and melanoma cancers, and VQD-002, which has been shown to inhibit the phosphorylation of Akt seen in abnormal levels in breast, ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic and liquid cancers.
VioQuest's subsidiary Chiral Quest, a pioneer in asymmetric chemocatalysis and custom synthesis, offers its proprietary technology products to well-known pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies worldwide to improve their production efficiencies and, in some instances, to increase the overall safety and efficacy of the underlying drug. For more information please visit www.vioquestpharm.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VioQuest's actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that any of VioQuest's research programs and compounds will be successfully commercialized. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions also include the possibility that the market for the sale of certain products may not develop as expected; and that development of these products may not proceed as planned. Additional risks are described in VioQuest's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004. VioQuest assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.