SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Jan. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CALA), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer, announced today the appointment of Dr. Keith Orford, M.D. Ph.D., as Vice President of Clinical Development. He joins the company following a distinguished career in oncology pharmaceuticals development, including senior clinical roles with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Merck. At Calithera, Dr. Orford will be responsible for clinical development of CB-839, its lead oral product candidate in tumor metabolism, as well as subsequent clinical development programs.
"Dr. Orford has joined the Calithera management team at an exciting time for our company as CB-839 progresses through three phase I clinical trials," said Susan Molineaux, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "Dr. Orford brings medical and scientific expertise to this important new position, having led the transition of a number of oncology drug candidates from preclinical development through successful clinical trials."
Dr. Orford joins Calithera from GSK where he was the Clinical Development Lead in the Immuno-Oncology and Combinations Development Performance Unit, overseeing the clinical activities on multiple early stage clinical trials with targeted agents and novel immune-based therapies. Prior to GSK, Dr. Orford was at Merck, where he worked on early clinical development programs across oncology and other therapeutic areas. He completed his clinical training in Internal Medicine and postdoctoral work at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School (HMS), studying the epigenetic regulation of hematopoietic and embryonic stem cell differentiation, becoming a Research Fellow and then an Instructor at MGH/HMS. Dr. Orford received his undergraduate degree, M.D. and Ph.D. from Georgetown University.
About Calithera
Calithera Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer. Calithera's lead product candidate, CB-839, is currently being evaluated in three Phase 1 clinical trials in solid and hematological cancers. Calithera is headquartered in South San Francisco. For more information about Calithera, please visit www.calithera.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements by Calithera that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those related to the advancement of Calithera's tumor metabolism and tumor immunology therapeutics through clinical development and the commercialization of Calithera's product candidates. Actual results may differ from Calithera's expectations and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Calithera's product candidates may not progress through clinical development or receive required regulatory approvals within expected timelines or at all. In addition, clinical trials may not confirm any safety, potency or other product characteristics described or assumed in this press release. Such product candidates may not be beneficial to patients or successfully commercialized. The failure to meet expectations with respect to any of the foregoing matters may have a negative effect on Calithera's stock price. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors affecting Calithera's business can be found in Calithera's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014 and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, Calithera disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.