– USA, CO – Array BioPharma Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRY) today announced that as part of its continued evolution toward late-stage development and commercialization, Charles M. Baum, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Mirati Therapeutics, joined the company’s board of directors, effective April 25, 2014.
Dr. Baum has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mirati since 2012. Previously, he was the Senior Vice President for Clinical Research within Pfizer’s Worldwide Research & Development division. Dr. Baum had worked at Pfizer from 2003 until he joined Mirati in 2012, taking on roles of increasing responsibility, including Vice President and Head of Oncology Development and Chief Medical Officer for Pfizer’s Biotherapeutics and Bioinnovation Center, a Pfizer division comprised of small biotech research units. During his tenure at Pfizer he was responsible for the development of the company’s oncology portfolio, including the tyrosine kinase inhibitors Sutent® (sunitinib), Inlyta® (axitinib) and Xalkori® (crizotinib). Prior to joining Pfizer, Dr. Baum was responsible for the Phase I-IV development of several oncology compounds at Schering-Plough, including Temodar® (temozolomide).
Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer of Array, noted, “At a time when Array is advancing programs in late-stage clinical development, Chuck has an ideal background to complement the expertise of our board of directors. His track record of building successful development teams and bringing drugs to market in oncology will be invaluable as we focus our efforts in oncology and continue our evolution towards commercialization.”
Dr. Baum added, “Array has built an impressive development pipeline of therapeutics that is advancing into late-stage clinical trials and provides the opportunity to significantly benefit patients in areas of unmet need. I’m excited to join the company’s board at such an important time in its history, as it advances toward the registration and commercialization of its drugs. I look forward to working with Ron and my fellow board members to make this happen.”
Dr. Baum received his M.D. and Ph.D. (Immunology) degrees from the Washington University School of Medicine and did his post-graduate work at Stanford University, where he completed his medical training and conducted research on human bone marrow stem cells with Dr. Irving Weissman. Dr. Baum was granted research support by the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society, published more than 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and holds a number of patents and patent applications.
Dr. Baum will be a Class I director on the Board with a term that expires at the Annual Meeting of Array’s stockholders in 2016. Array also announced today that Liam Ratcliffe, M.D. resigned from the Board effective April 24, 2014, to devote more time to his other professional activities. Dr. Ratcliffe was instrumental in guiding Array’s evolution towards late-stage development and commercialization.
About Array BioPharma
Array BioPharma Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted small molecule drugs to treat patients afflicted with cancer. Seven Phase 3 or pivotal studies are already in progress, or are planned to begin this year. These programs include the wholly-owned hematology drug, filanesib (ARRY-520) for multiple myeloma and two partnered cancer drugs, selumetinib (AstraZeneca) and binimetinib (MEK162 / Novartis).
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