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Tranzyme
Pharma Names Two Clinical Gastrointestinal Experts to its
Clinical Advisory Board
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. and
SHERBROOKE, Québec (December 1, 2004) – Tranzyme Pharma, a
leading biopharmaceutical company developing novel
mechanism-based therapeutics for the treatment of
gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, today announced the addition of
two renowned GI clinicians to its Clinical Advisory Board. The
new members are Raj Goyal, M.D., Mallinckrodt Professor of
Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Henry P. Parkman, M.D.,
Professor of Medicine, Temple University. They will join David
J. Drutz, M.D. and Jean-Paul Castaigne, M.D., who also serve on
the Board of Directors for the Company. This Clinical Advisory
Board provides Tranzyme Pharma with access to leading experts in
the field of GI motility diseases and a skill set of proven
clinical and pharmaceutical development expertise.
“We are excited to have such eminent gastroenterologists as Drs.
Goyal and Parkman join us to help advance our lead products for
GI disorders,” said Vipin K. Garg, Ph.D., President & CEO of
Tranzyme Pharma. “Their combined expertise fits perfectly with
our focus in GI motility disorders. Drs. Goyal and Parkman have
pioneered current understanding of GI motility and their work is
leading to new therapeutic insights and clinical development
opportunities.”
Tranzyme Pharma is developing proprietary therapeutic candidates
from its own medicinal chemistry platform to treat underserved
diseases of the GI tract such as post-operative ileus (POI),
gastroparesis, irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea type, and
functional dyspepsia. The Company’s novel small molecules target
two validated, druggable G protein-coupled receptors found
within the GI tract—ghrelin and motilin. By targeting these two
receptors, Tranzyme Pharma has identified “mechanism-based”
agents that act directly at the site of pathophysiological
disturbance. The Company recently announced positive preclinical
data for its lead ghrelin agonists for treating POI and diabetic
gastroparesis.
“I look forward to working closely with Tranzyme to facilitate
the progression of their novel compounds in clinical trials.”
said Dr. Goyal. “Tranzyme’s lead product has demonstrated
excellent results in animal models of both POI and gastroparesis,
and I am eager to help advance this potentially important
therapeutic through clinical development in areas that currently
have limited treatment options for patients.” added Dr. Parkman.
Raj Goyal, M.D.
Dr. Goyal is Mallinckrodt Professor of Medicine at Harvard
Medical School and Staff Gastroenterologist at the VA Boston
Healthcare System. His seminal research in gastroenterology has
led to important advances in understanding enteric
neurotransmission and is the basis for current concepts
regarding the physiology of esophageal motility. In addition, he
has demonstrated the importance of chloride channels in the
regulation of smooth muscle activity in the GI system. Dr. Goyal
has served as chair of the division of gastroenterology for The
University of Texas in San Antonio and for Beth Israel Hospital
in Boston. Dr. Goyal received his M.D. from the University of
Delhi, India.
Henry P. Parkman, M.D.
Dr. Parkman is Professor of Medicine in the Gastroenterology
Section of the Department of Medicine at Temple University. He
also holds positions at Temple University as Director of the
Clinical Gastroenterology Motility Laboratory, Medical Director
of the Office of Clinical Research, and Director of the Clinical
Research Unit. Dr. Parkman’s clinical research interests are
focused on gastric motility disorders, more specifically, new
treatments and new diagnostic tests for gastroparesis and
functional dyspepsia. Dr. Parkman received his M.D. from Case
Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, his internal medicine
training at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and his GI training at
University of Pennsylvania.
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