Dr. Cupit, a senior executive with 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry who had headed Global Search and Evaluation in Business Development and Licensing for Novartis Pharmaceutical Company, was most recently President and CEO of Sapphire Therapeutics, Inc., a private company developing small molecule compounds to treat cancer and metabolic diseases.
“We anticipate that Gary’s proven record of accomplishment over two decades in the pharmaceutical industry will greatly benefit Enzo Therapeutics, and speed development of our proprietary technology,” said Barry Weiner, President of Enzo Biochem. “The creation of this new position, just as we recently installed a new President of Enzo Life Sciences, signals an important transformation at our Company. We are focused on bringing to market advanced products and treatment resulting from Enzo Biochem’s quarter century of leading, innovative research and development in the medical realm. Gary’s broad managerial, business development, operational and marketing experience in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals makes him a valuable addition to our team.”
Dr. Cupit will assume responsibility for operations and implement strategies for the development and expansion of Enzo Therapeutics. He also will participate at Enzo Biochem in helping to further and more fully capitalize on the Company’s extensive Intellectual Property.
“I am delighted to join Enzo, and honored to be given the opportunity to head up its Therapeutic subsidiary,” said Dr. Cupit. “The Company has a line-up of exciting, proprietary and innovative products. With a broad portfolio, the selection and focus of compounds for internal development and commercialization combined with obtaining partners for other candidates is a welcome challenge. I look forward to what I am certain will be a most enjoyable association.”
Prior to joining Sapphire Therapeutics in 2004, Dr. Cupit was a Vice President, Global Business Development and Licensing at Novartis, where he served for three years in various executive capacities. In addition to more than 20 years of pharmaceutical and healthcare industry experience, he has spent 14 years in university-based academics and consulting in clinical pharmacy. Dr. Cupit has held positions in Business Development at Knoll Pharmaceutical and was Vice President, Cardiovascular Business Unit (Angiomax®) with The Medicines Company of Cambridge, MA. He also was at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals in a number of sales capacities (RMA), product management (Tagamet®, Hycamtin®) and new product development (Kytril®, Androderm®, Argatroban®). Dr. Cupit has held faculty positions at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, the University of California, San Francisco, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Dr. Cupit earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia and Doctor of Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.
About Enzo
Enzo Biochem and its subsidiaries (the Company) are engaged in the research, development and manufacture of innovative health care products based on molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services to the medical community. The Company's proprietary labeling and detection products for gene sequencing and genetic analysis are sold to the life sciences market throughout the world. The Company's therapeutic division is in various stages of clinical evaluation of its proprietary gene medicine for HIV-1 infection and its proprietary immune regulation medicines for hepatitis, uveitis, Crohn's disease, and for NASH and its associated metabolic syndrome. Pre-clinical research is being conducted on several candidate compounds aimed at producing new mineral and organic bone, including technology that could provide therapy for osteoporosis and fractures, among other applications. The Company also holds a patent covering a method and materials for correcting point mutations or small insertions or deletions of genetic material that would allow for editing and correcting certain abnormalities in genes. The Company owns or licenses over 200 patents worldwide. For more information visit our website www.enzo.com.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. The Company disclaims any obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.
###
Contacts;
For: Enzo Biochem, Inc.
Steve Anreder, 212-532-3232 Or Ed Lewis, CEOcast, Inc., 212-732-4300