Ambrx Announces Formation and Members of Scientific Advisory Board

Ambrx, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company using an expanded genetic code technology platform to discover and develop Engineered Precision Biologics (EPBs), today announced the formation of a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of industry leaders in oncology and protein sciences, chaired by Peter Schultz, Ph.D. The SAB will work cohesively with management to advance the company’s clinical development pipeline of Engineered Precision Biologics.

“I’m delighted to be appointed Chair of Ambrx’s Scientific Advisory Board, and to be part of such a distinguished group of industry experts,” said Peter Schultz, Ph.D. “Collectively we will aim to guide Ambrx through the development of its current pipeline while exploring the potential of the company’s technology platform.”

“The prestigious group of scientific thought leaders we have assembled to sit on our Scientific Advisory Board will provide Ambrx with relevant and informed counsel in the months and years ahead, as we continue our research efforts and further the development of our clinical pipeline,” said Feng Tian, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Ambrx. “Each member brings unique experience from technology, protein drug design, immunology, early-stage research to the late-stage clinical development of human therapeutics. I believe this collection of keen minds and experience will serve us well as we develop EPBs for the treatment of cancer, with a focus on our lead development candidate, ARX788.”

The founding members of the Ambrx Scientific Advisory Board are:

Peter Schultz, Ph.D., is currently President and CEO of Scripps Research and a Professor of Chemistry. He has made innovative and pioneering contributions to chemical and synthetic biology, notably the rational expansion of the genetic codes of living organisms and the exploitation of molecular diversity in the synthesis of new medicines and materials. Schultz has authored over 600 scientific publications, trained over 300 coworkers, and founded nine companies that have pioneered the application of molecular diversity technologies to address multiple challenges in human health and materials science. He has won many Awards, including the Wolf Prize, Solvay Prize and Cope Award and is a member of the National Academies of Science of and Medicine.

Stuart Lutzker, M.D., Ph.D., is an industry veteran with decades of oncology drug development and leadership experience. Most recently, Dr. Lutzker was Vice President of Oncology Early Clinical Development at Genentech from 2009-2021 where he led the early development of multiple now approved oncology drugs including Kadcyla®, Polivy®, Venclexta®, Cotellic® and Tecentriq®. Prior to Genentech, Dr. Lutzker was a medical oncologist and cancer researcher at the NCI-Designated Cancer Institute of New Jersey, where he divided his time between patient care and laboratory-based cancer research. Dr. Lutzker received his M.D./Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Following his residency and fellowship in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Dr. Lutzker completed post-doctoral research training in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. Dr. Lutzker has also served as faculty for the ASCO/AACR Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop in Vail, CO.

Jakob Dupont, M.D., is a renowned expert in oncology, immunology and cell therapy with vast experience in developing therapies and programs, especially for breast and gynecological cancers. Dr. Dupont is the Global Head of Research & Development and EVP at Atara Biotherapeutics and is a Director at Apexigen. Prior to Atara, Dr. Dupont served as Chief Medical Officer at Gossamer Bio. Prior to Gossamer, Dr. Dupont served as Global Head of Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Development and VP for Genentech/Roche. Dr. Dupont received his M.D. from the Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University and his M.A. in philosophy from New York University.

Melissa Starovasnik, Ph.D., is a seasoned scientific leader in protein sciences with a long and successful career at Genentech. After gaining her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Washington, Dr. Starovasnik completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Genentech. Advancing from a Protein Engineering Scientist to Senior Scientific Advisor for Research, Dr. Starovasnik has more than 25 years of distinguished service at the company which includes over 70 scientific publications and patent applications. Her knowledge of protein therapeutics, structural biology, and small molecule drug discovery and development will provide an invaluable resource to the advancement of Ambrx’s clinical pipeline.

Luisa Salter-Cid, Ph.D., M.Sc., is the Chief Scientific Officer at Pioneering Medicines, a division of life sciences company Flagship Pioneering. Before this, she served at Chief Scientific Officer at Gossamer Bio where she established a large research team and clinical portfolio that was integral in the company’s IPO in 2019. Prior to Gossamer Bio, Dr. Salter-Cid served as Vice President at Bristol-Myers Squibb, heading the immunology, small molecule immuno-oncology and genomics teams. Presently, Dr. Salter-Cid serves on the Board of Directors for Jounce Therapeutics and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of both Prometheus Biosciences and Enterome. She has authored over 80 publications and patents, and received her doctorate in immunology from the University of Miami.

Feng Tian, Ph.D., is the Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Ambrx, and has been with the company about 17 years. Formerly Ambrx’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Tian has overseen the company’s research and development. He led team to establish various technology programs such as the EuCODE platform and antibody drug conjugate platform. Prior to Ambrx, Dr. Tian conducted his post-doctoral study at The Scripps Research Institute under Peter Schultz. Dr. Tian received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Florida and his B.S. in chemistry from Peking University.

About Ambrx

Ambrx is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company using an expanded genetic code technology platform to discover and develop Engineered Precision Biologics. These include next generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), bispecifics, targeted immuno-oncology therapies, novel cytokines to modulate the immune system, and long-acting therapeutic peptides for metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Ambrx is advancing a robust portfolio of clinical and preclinical programs designed to optimize efficacy, safety and ease of use, in multiple therapeutic areas, including its lead product candidate ARX788. In addition, the company has clinical collaborations with Bristol Myers Squibb, Astellas, BeiGene, Sino Biopharma, Elanco and NovoCodex, for drug candidates generated using Ambrx technology.

Source: Ambrx

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