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AGENSYS ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF RICHARD B. BREWER TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SANTA MONICA, Calif., February 9, 2004 - Agensys, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company developing therapeutic antibodies to treat several types of solid tumor cancers, announced today that Richard B. Brewer has been elected to its board. Mr. Brewer has over 20 years of experience developing and commercializing novel health care products in the biotechnology and medical device industries. As the Chief Executive Officer and President of Scios Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel human therapeutics, he led the company in achieving FDA approval for Scios' protein therapeutic, Natrecor, the first new drug for treating acute congestive heart failure in over a decade. Also, under his leadership, Scios performed a highly successful market launch of Natrecor, brought a small molecule drug with blockbuster market potential through Phase II clinical trials, and completed a merger of Scios with Johnson & Johnson at a substantial premium for Scios' shareholders. "We are honored to have such an accomplished biotech executive as Dick Brewer whose strong track record of leadership and innovation will add key insights to the deliberations of our Board," said Donald B. Rice, Chairman, President and CEO of Agensys. "I look forward to working closely with him and our other Board members to build stockholder value." Mr. Brewer also previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Heartport, a cardiovascular device company developing minimally invasive Port-Access approaches to major heart surgery. Prior to Heartport, Mr. Brewer was Genentech's senior vice president for U.S. sales and marketing for Genentech Europe Ltd. and Genentech Canada. Mr. Brewer earned his BS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and an MBA from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. About Agensys Agensys exploits multiple cancer product opportunities associated with antibody, small molecule and vaccine therapeutics based on its own discoveries of therapeutic targets. The Company has discovered and validated a rich portfolio of novel, clinically relevant cancer targets to 14 different cancer types that have been carefully selected to enable development of new effective therapeutics with fewer and less severe side effects. Agensys' cancer target portfolio is protected by 22 issued patents, 8 allowed and more than 200 pending patent applications. The Company has assembled internal capabilities to both develop and manufacture human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The Company's preclinical development programs include human antibodies to targets directed to prostate, colon, lung, ovary, kidney and bladder cancers. The Company's portfolio also contains multiple validated targets for small molecule and vaccine products that it intends to develop through partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The Company has signed a multi-year partnership agreement with Abgenix that provides for the generation of fully human MAbs to 25 Agensys targets using Abgenix antibody technologies. The Company's laboratories, manufacturing facility and offices are located in Santa Monica, CA. For more information visit www.agensys.com. Contacts Donald B. Rice Agensys, Inc. 310.820.8029 x210 drice@agensys.com Paul G. Kanan Agensys, Inc. 310.820.8029 x219 pkanan@agensys.com << Back to Press Releases |