-- Formerly of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Praecis Pharmaceuticals, and KPMG; Brings Over 18 Years of Financial Leadership Experience Within the Life Sciences Industry --
NEWTON, Mass., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, today announced the appointment of Michael P. Mason as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. In this role, Mr. Mason will be responsible for leading and directing the financial activities of the Company.
Mr. Mason brings to Karyopharm more than 18 years of diversified financial experience in executing financial strategies and leading growth initiatives for life sciences companies. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance and Treasurer at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company. He has deep expertise in global financial operations and controls, financing transactions, business planning and supporting pharmaceutical product launches. Prior to spending over 13 years at Alnylam in a progression of finance roles, Mr. Mason was Corporate Controller at Praecis Pharmaceuticals and previously worked in the audit practice at KPMG LLP, a national audit, tax and advisory services firm. Mr. Mason received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stetson University and an MBA from Babson College. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
“I am delighted to welcome Mike to the Karyopharm team and believe his expertise and leadership skills will be critically important to us as we execute on our ongoing growth initiatives and prepare to launch our first commercial product,” said Michael G. Kauffman, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Karyopharm. “Mike is a proven leader in our industry and his experience leading finance teams through significant organizational growth will be a valuable addition to our Company.”
Mr. Mason commented: “Karyopharm is an exciting company and an emerging leader in the oncology field. The team has been making great strides towards bringing selinexor to patients in the U.S. and around the world and I am pleased to be joining at such a pivotal time. I look forward to working with the entire leadership team and contributing to the Company’s future success.”
About Karyopharm Therapeutics
Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel first-in-class drugs directed against nuclear transport and related targets for the treatment of cancer and other major diseases. Karyopharm's SINE compounds function by binding with and inhibiting the nuclear export protein XPO1 (or CRM1). In addition to single-agent and combination activity against a variety of human cancers, SINE compounds have also shown biological activity in models of neurodegeneration, inflammation, autoimmune disease, certain viruses and wound-healing. Karyopharm, which was founded by Dr. Sharon Shacham, currently has several investigational programs in clinical or preclinical development.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding our expectations for commercialization. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Karyopharm’s control, that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from Karyopharm's current expectations due to risks and uncertainties inherent in Karyopharm’s business, including, without limitation: risks and uncertainties associated with the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory authorities. The failure to meet expectations with respect to any of the foregoing matters may reduce Karyopharm's stock price. These and other risks are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Karyopharm's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 8, 2018, and in other filings that Karyopharm may make with the SEC in the future. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, Karyopharm expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investors:
Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.
Ian Karp
Vice President, Investor and Public Relations
857-297-2241 | ikarp@karyopharm.com
Media:
Argot Partners
David Rosen
212-600-1902 | david.rosen@argotpartners.com