Chris Chapman, President and Chief Medical Officer“We are focused on developing drugs that represent a transformation in the targeting of autoimmune, inflammatory and age-related conditions,” says Chris Chapman, the President and Chief Medical Officer of MyMD Pharmaceuticals.
MYMD-1 is currently being studied in Phase 2 to address sarcopenia, the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength due to aging. Recently, data was published in the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences (JGBS) from a pre-clinical study of MYMD-1, demonstrating four-fold greater improvements than rapamycin in delaying aging and extending the life of mice. This study, led by Patrizio P. Caturegli, MD, MPH, a professor of pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, is extremely important early data, further validating the potential of MYMD-1 in delaying aging.
Aging is very closely linked to multi-morbidities, sarcopenia, and frailty, and currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments for sarcopenia.
MYMD-1 is also dosed orally, unlike any other approved TNF-α, all of which are administered via injection or infusion. As a small molecule, MYMD-1 can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and gain access to the central nervous system, which opens up its potential to treat a range of conditions, including brain-related disorders. Its mechanism of action and efficacy in diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), have been studied through collaborations with several academic institutions. In addition to addressing inflammation, MYMD-1 also can decrease oxidative injury with anti-fibrotic effects.
MYMD-1 is also being explored as a treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, which are commonly treated by TNF-α inhibitors and has potential advantages over these existing treatments. Unlike other therapies, MYMD- 1 has been shown to selectively block TNF-α when it becomes over activated in autoimmune diseases and cytokine storms without preventing it from playing its normal role as a first responder to any routine type of moderate infection. In terms of safety, MyMD-1 is not immunosuppressive and has not been associated with the serious side effects common with traditional therapies that treat inflammation.
We are focused on developing drugs that represent a transformation in the targeting of autoimmune, inflammatory and age-related conditions
MyMD is also excited about its second product, Supera- CBD, which is being developed to treat chronic pain, addiction and epilepsy. Supera-CBD is a novel synthetic derivative of cannabidiol (CBD) and is being developed to address and improve upon the rapidly growing CBD market, which includes both FDA-approved drugs and CBD products not currently regulated as drugs.
MyMD Pharmaceuticals Appoints Accomplished Biopharmaceutical Leader and Current Board Member, Mitchell Glass, M.D. as President and Chief Medical Officer
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
• Dr. Glass brings a 35-year career in life sciences with multiple drug approvals including Accolate ®, Avandia ® and Coreg®
• Dr. Glass brings broad expertise in regulatory strategies: 5 NDAs and MAAs, 7 pre-NDA meetings, 12 End of Phase 2 meetings, and more than 80 INDs
• Company announces President and CMO transition as clinical development advances through mid-stage trials
• Company also appoints new independent board member, Mr. Stephen Friscia, an experienced investment strategist
BALTIMORE - MyMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MYMD) (“MyMD” or the “Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel therapies for age-related diseases and autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, today announced the appointment of Mitchell Glass, M.D., a member of the board of directors of the Company, as president and chief medical officer. The Company also announced the appointment of Mr. Stephen Friscia, a veteran investor, to the board of directors.
Appointment of Mitchell Glass, M.D.
“Through his many years of biopharma leadership, Dr. Glass has established a successful and productive track record of executing successful early- to mid-stage clinical development and regulatory strategies and bringing numerous companies to market entry and commercialization,” said Josh Silverman, chairman of the board of MyMD. “After completing a successful and statistically significant small Phase 2 study of MYMD-1® in sarcopenia/frailty last year, now is the right time for the Company to bring in a highly experienced leader to guide the Company through further mid-stage clinical development. We believe Dr. Glass has the right expertise and ingenuity necessary to drive continued value creation for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
"This is an exciting time to join MyMD. MyMD’s initial Phase 2 data provides guidance to perform larger studies of MYMD-1 focused on patient outcomes. Our team looks forward to providing near-term updates on the path forward for our novel TNF-α inhibitor,” said Dr. Glass.
Dr. Glass is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine, with a focus in inflammatory diseases and immunopathology. His biopharmaceutical career spans 35 years across diverse life sciences industries and fields, from broad-ranging executive positions at top ten pharmaceutical companies, to founding, leading and funding start-ups and early-stage biopharma companies. As a long-term investor in the healthcare sector, Dr. Glass is a founder and principal of Medpro Investors, a New York-based venture capital firm focused on the healthcare sector. He is a long-term consultant and regulatory representative for company and university engagement with the FDA and international regulatory counterparts, and he currently serves on the American Lung Association’s Scientific Advisory Committee.
Dr. Glass holds an extensive and successful track record in leading companies through FDA regulatory pathways from early research and development to late-stage trials and market commercialization. His career highlights include 5 new drug applications (NDAs) and marketing authorization applications (MAAs), 7 pre-NDA meetings including international counterparts, 12 End of Phase 2 (EOP2) meetings with FDA, and more than 80 investigational new drug applications (INDs).
Appointment of Stephen Friscia
“Stephen Friscia is the newest addition to our board of directors, bringing two decades of equity research and portfolio management experience. His broad perspective and knowledge of the healthcare sector will be key assets as we proceed with strategic value creation,” Silverman concluded.
Mr. Friscia is the manager and co-founder of Kipps Capital, a family office established in 2016. Previously, Mr. Friscia was a managing director and portfolio manager for multiple institutional investment and asset management firms, with several focused in small and mid-cap value equities, including Iridian Asset Management LLC, MacKay Shields LLC, Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc., John A. Levin & Co., Inc., and Evergreen Investments LLC (Wachovia Corporation).
