KineMed, Inc.

LONDON, June 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Engitix Ltd (‘Engitix’), a biotechnology company with a portfolio of drug discovery programmes in fibrosis and solid tumours using its proprietary human extracellular matrix (ECM) platform, today announces the appointment of two biotech industry leaders as Scientific Advisors: Adrian S. Ray, PhD, and Scott Turner, PhD. These appointments support Engitix’s evolution as it harnesses its ECM platform to discover new targets and biomarkers for therapeutic benefit and advances towards clinical development. Dr Giuseppe Mazza, CEO of Engitix said, “We are pleased to welcome Dr Adrian Ray and Dr Scott Turner as new scientific advisors. Their combined industry insights, strong translational science and small molecule and biologic drug discovery experience across cancer and fibrosis disease will enhance our R&D efforts. Their strategic guidance will be invaluable as we continue to advance discoveries from our proprietary ECM platform technologies into transformational therapies for patients with fibrosis and solid tumours.” Dr Adrian Ray has over two decades of experience in biotech working at Gilead, Nimbus, Morphic and, most recently, serving as Chief Scientific Officer at Third Harmonic Bio. He has provided leadership for small molecule drug discovery, nonclinical development and translation across therapeutic areas contributing to numerous IND and successful worldwide registrational filings. Dr Ray completed his graduate studies in the Pharmacology Department at Yale University, having received his undergraduate degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz graduating with highest honours. Dr Adrian Ray said, “Engitix has an unparalleled understanding of the extracellular matrix. I'm excited to work with the team on leveraging their deep data set to identify new therapeutics for fibrosis and solid tumours.” Dr Scott Turner is currently the Chief Scientific Officer at Arda Therapeutics. Prior to joining Arda, Scott served as CSO at Pliant Therapeutics, where he played a pivotal role in the creation of Pliant's fibrosis discovery platform and spearheaded the development of their anti-fibrotic pipeline. His innovative approaches, including pioneering the use of single-cell data to dissect drug mechanisms of action and driving an advanced biomarker strategy, led to remarkable successes in achieving clinical proof of concept. Prior to Pliant, Dr Turner led research and development at KineMed Inc. a platform technology company developing translational biomarkers in fibrosis and metabolic disease. Dr Turner gained his PhD from University of California, Berkeley in Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology. Dr Scott Turnersaid, “In spite of recent advances, fibrosis remains a significant unmet medical need. New strategies are needed to address this challenging problem. I am excited to work with the Engitix team and advisors to leverage their novel ECM platform to identify new treatments.” Engitix new scientific advisors bring extensive scientific and industry expertise and diverse perspectives that will complement and enhance the knowledge of its original eight Scientific Advisors, who are renowned global academics and clinical leaders across diseases of the gastrointestinal system, skin and lung fibrosis and cancers. Current scientific advisors also include Professor Massimo Pinzani, MD, PhD, FAASLD, FRCP, Alex Lugovskoy, PhD, Doug Thorburn, MD, Emmanuel Tsochatzis, MD, MSc, FEBTM, FRCP, PhD, Tu Vinh Luong, MD, FRCPATH, Antonio Di Sabatino, MD, Hendrik-Tobias Arkenau, MD, PhD, FRCP and Giuseppe Fusai, MD. Biographies for all scientific advisors are available on Engitix’s website here. Engitix also recently expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Matthew Edwards, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President of Discovery Sciences, and Emma Huang, Ph.D., as Vice President of Data Sciences. Notes to Editors: About Engitix Ltd Engitix is progressing a portfolio of internal and partnered drug discovery programmes in fibrosis and solid tumours using its pioneering human extracellular matrix (ECM) platform. Engitix patient-centric ECM platform is underpinned by an extensive bioarchive, one of the world’s largest ECM databases, and best-in-class, human in vitro 3-D cell culture bioassays. Together, these unique capabilities transform its ability to identify new targets and biomarkers, investigate novel mechanisms of action, and more accurately predict the efficacy of therapeutic candidates. It has a strategic drug discovery partnership with Dompé farmaceutici where Engitix’s internal drug development programmes are being accelerated by leveraging Dompé’s AI-enabled high performance computing platform, Exscalate, and drug discovery and development collaborations with Takeda in advanced fibrotic liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and in fibrostenotic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Established to commercialise cutting-edge research from the Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London (UCL), Engitix is headquartered in Westworks, White City Place, London, UK. It has raised more than $60m in equity from investors including Netherton Investments (a fund investing on behalf of Mike Platt) and Dompé farmaceutici S.P.A. For more information, please visit Follow us on LinkedIN For more information: At the Company Giuseppe Mazza, CEO E: giuseppe.mazza@engitix.com Media enquiries (for Engitix) Sue Charles, Charles Consultants T: +44 7986 726585 E: sue@charles-consultants.com

Dr. Stein is an industry leader with over 35 years of experience in drug development BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AI Proteins, Inc., a growing biotechnology company that utilizes computational de novo protein design to create novel therapeutic miniproteins, today announced the appointment of Robert Stein, MD, PhD, to its Scientific Advisory Board. “The team and I at AI Proteins are ecstatic to welcome Dr. Robert Stein to our Scientific Advisory Board,” said Dr. Chris Bahl, founder, President, and Chief Scientific Officer of AI Proteins. “Bob is an icon in the pharmaceutical industry and a veteran drug hunter with a proven track record of success. He shares our vision for the promise of miniproteins as a next-generation modality with massive therapeutic opportunity. The incredible speed, efficiency, and capacity of our miniprotein platform have yielded a deep pipeline of assets that are poised to begin development. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work closely with Bob, and all of our SAB members, as we navigate this exciting and pivotal moment for AI Proteins.” Dr. Robert Stein, an accomplished medical professional, has held various executive positions in research and development, contributing to the advancement and registration of several pharmaceuticals. Notably, he played a key role in the discovery and development of Sustiva®, Promacta®, and the blockbuster drug Eliquis®. With his expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, and clinical development, Dr. Stein spearheaded the development of four checkpoint modulatory antibodies and a personalized neo-epitope-directed cancer vaccine. Dr. Stein currently is a Venture Partner at Samsara Biocapital. Additionally, he has held various leadership positions, including President of Roche Palo Alto LLC, Chief Executive Officer of Kinemed, and President of R&D at the immuno-oncology company Agenus. Dr. Stein holds an MD and a PhD in Physiology & Pharmacology from Duke University. "AI Proteins’ compelling de novo protein design platform creates protein-based medicines that can effectively target multiple indications across a wide array of disease areas,” said Robert Stein, MD, PhD. “The rapidly evolving science of miniproteins has the potential to be substantially differentiated from current therapeutic modalities and help deliver better patient outcomes in indications with large unmet need. I look forward to supporting further advancement of this cutting-edge science and ideal therapeutic modality with AI Protein’s seasoned management and expert advisors who have strong protein engineering and drug development experience.” “We are honored to have Dr. Stein join us at this important time for our Company,” said Noah D. Beerman, Chief Executive Officer of AI Proteins. “His appointment strengthens the already deep expertise present in our Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Stein’s knowledge of drug development and commercialization will have an invaluable impact as AI Proteins enters our next phase of growth. We are excited to have an advisor of Dr. Stein’s caliber join our team and look forward to his insightful scientific and strategic guidance as we bring miniprotein therapeutics into development for indications with serious unmet medical need.” In addition to Dr. Robert Stein, AI Protein’s current SAB members include Dr. Alice Bexon, Dr. Charlotte Deane, Dr. Todd Fehniger, Dr. Justin Gainor, Dr. Dennis Klinman, Dr. Carl Novina, Dr. Eric Rowinsky, and Dr. Omer Yilmaz. About AI Proteins Boston-based AI Proteins is a biotech company on a mission to re-imagine protein therapeutics with a novel approach for designing entirely new proteins. Using AI-based design and a high-throughput drug discovery platform, AI Proteins creates de novo proteins optimized for specific therapeutic applications. The AI Proteins platform enables the development of inexpensive, durable, highly specific proteins that have the potential for oral delivery. Additionally, the AI Proteins platform can dramatically accelerate the development of lead therapeutic candidates ready for IND-enabling studies. For more information, please visit aiproteins.com. View source version on businesswire.com: Contacts Investor Contact: Janhavi Mohite Stern Investor Relations, Inc. janhavi.mohite@sternir.com +1 (212) 362-1200 Source: AI Proteins, Inc. View this news release online at:

RICHMOND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioAge Labs, Inc. (“BioAge”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics that target the molecular causes of aging to extend healthy human lifespan, today announced that the company will host an online key opinion leader (KOL) event for analysts, investors, and other interested parties on its first-in-class apelin receptor agonist BGE-105. The event will be broadcast online on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET. At the virtual event, BioAge leadership will present on Phase 1b trial design and recently announced topline data showing that BGE-105 significantly improved multiple measures of muscle atrophy in older volunteers on 10 days of bed rest, and give insight into the design and objectives of a Phase 2 clinical study for prevention of ICU diaphragmatic atrophy and critical illness myopathy. In addition, KOLs William J. Evans, PhD and Ewan Goligher, MD, PhD, FRCPC will provide an overview of the clinical impact and current treatment landscape for conditions related to muscle aging, including the significant unmet medical need for therapies for intensive care unit (ICU) diaphragmatic atrophy and critical care myopathy. Patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU undergo rapid disuse atrophy of the diaphragm and peripheral muscles, which is predictive of adverse outcomes including extended time on ventilator, extended time in the ICU, long recovery time, and substantially increased mortality. No therapies are available for either condition. William Evans, PhD is Adjunct Professor of Human Nutrition at UC Berkeley and Medicine (Geriatrics) at Duke University. Dr. Evans was the first to describe sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength that drives functional decline and loss of independence in older adults. His research has examined the effects of bed rest on body composition, muscle metabolism and functional capacity in older people, biomarkers for changes in muscle mass and function, and the etiology of late life dysfunction, and has revealed connections between sarcopenia and other diseases of aging. Previously, he was President of the Muscle and Health Division at KineMed and VP and Head of GlaxoSmithKline’s Muscle Metabolism Discovery Performance Unit. In 2005, he testified before the Senate Select Committee on Aging about strategies to save Medicare through prevention of chronic diseases associated with aging. Ewan Goligher, MD, PhD, FRCPC is an internationally recognized expert in critical care medicine and a leader in the field of lung and diaphragm injury during mechanical ventilation (MV). His research at the University of Toronto and University Health Network has contributed significantly to the field of diaphragm dysfunction, including the development of novel ultrasound techniques for assessing diaphragm muscle structure and function in patients on MV. He has extensive experience leading clinical trials, including a study that characterized diaphragmatic changes in mechanically ventilated patients, resulting in the seminal description of the prevalence of diaphragm atrophy and injury during MV. He was the first to describe the relationship between changes in diaphragm thickness and the risk of complications of respiratory failure, including prolonged ventilation, reintubation, and tracheostomy, and first to propose the concepts of diaphragm myotrauma and diaphragm-protective ventilation. BGE-105 is a highly selective, potent, orally available small-molecule agonist of the apelin receptor APJ. Phase 1b trial data released to date demonstrate that in healthy volunteers 65 and older on 10-day strict bed rest, BGE-105 prevented muscle atrophy as reflected by improvements in multiple parameters, including the dimensions of leg muscles, muscle quality, and muscle protein synthesis. BGE-105 was well-tolerated in the study, consistent with prior Phase 1 trials showing that it was safe and well-tolerated in 198 subjects. A moderated audience Q&A session will follow the live presentations. Interested parties can register for the event here. About BioAge Labs, Inc. BioAge is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of therapies to extend healthy lifespan by targeting the molecular causes of aging. BioAge uses its discovery platform, which combines quantitative analysis of proprietary longitudinal human samples with detailed health records, to map the key molecular pathways that impact healthy human aging. By targeting the mechanisms of aging with a large, mechanistically diverse portfolio of drugs, BioAge is unlocking opportunities to treat or prevent age-related disease in entirely new ways. BioAge has multiple programs targeting muscle, immune, and brain aging, including the clinical-stage apelin receptor agonist BGE-105 and a differentiated CNS-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor. Investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Caffeinated Capital, Khosla Ventures, and others.