Tiziana Life Sciences hires scientist with track record of successfully developing blockbuster monoclonal antibody products as its chief medical officer

Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (NASDAQ:TLSA) (LON:TILS) said it has hired an industry veteran with experience of successfully developing blockbuster monoclonal antibody products as its chief medical officer.

At Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: REGN) Dr Neil Graham was “instrumental” in bringing to market Dupixent, a blockbuster monoclonal antibody product for eczema and asthma, taking it from phase I to launch.

During his tenure, he also led the product development for Kevzara, an IL-6R antibody for rheumatoid arthritis, which is now also being used to fight coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

Graham’s experience will be crucial during the clinical evolution of Tiziana candidates Foralumab, a monoclonal antibody (mAB) treatment for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, Milciclib, for cancer, and TZLS-501, its anti-IL-6 drug.

He hailed as a potential “game-changer” the ability to deliver antibody immuno-therapeutics both orally and nasally, an approach being pioneered with Foralumab.

In a statement, Tiziana chairman and founder, Gabriele Cerrone, said of Graham: “His knowledge and experience at Regeneron in developing blockbuster monoclonal antibody drugs such as Dupixent will be invaluable in developing Foralumab and our anti-IL-6 drug, TZLS-501.”

As well as a 10-year stint at Regeneron, Graham has held roles with drug developers Vertex, Trimeris and Glaxo Welcome and he was also an associate professor at John Hopkins University in the US.

Story by ProactiveInvestors