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Verastem Names Jose Baselga, M.D., Ph.D. as Senior Medical Advisor
“Research to develop new therapies targeting cancer stem cells is very
exciting,” said
“Clinical testing of agents that target cancer stem cells requires a
particular focus on the underlying biology that drives tumor progression
and metastasis,” said Dr.
Dr. Baselga’s research includes the development of novel molecular-targeted agents for cancer therapies, with a special emphasis on breast cancer and therapeutic approaches to targeting the PI3K pathway. His research in preclinical and early clinical development of therapies has helped develop a number of new targeted cancer-fighting agents. Dr. Baselga has led a number of neo-adjuvant and other clinical trials in breast cancer and has been at the forefront of designing biomarker-based early and translational clinical trials.
“Jose brings a tremendous wealth of experience and insight to the
clinical development programs at Verastem,” said
“We will continue to seek out the best employees, advisors and key
opinion leaders,” said
Dr. Baselga is Physician-in-Chief at
Dr. Baselga received his medical degree from the Universidad Autonoma of
About VS-6063
VS-6063 (defactinib) is an oral compound designed to target cancer stem
cells through the potent inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK).
Cancer stem cells are an underlying cause of tumor resistance to
chemotherapy, recurrence and ultimate disease progression. Research by
About VS-5584
VS-5584 is an oral compound that has demonstrated potent and highly
selective activity against class 1 PI3K enzymes and dual inhibitory
actions against mTORC1 and mTORC2 pathways. In preclinical studies,
VS-5584 has been shown to reduce the percentage of cancer stem cells and
induce tumor regression in taxane-resistant models.
About
Forward-looking statements:
This press release includes forward-looking statements about the
Company’s strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements
regarding the development of the Company’s compounds, including VS-6063,
or defactinib, VS-4718, VS-5584, and the Company’s FAK, mTOR/PI3K and
diagnostic programs generally, the timeline for clinical development and
regulatory approval of the Company’s compounds, the expected timing for
the reporting of data from ongoing trials, and the structure of the
Company’s planned or pending clinical trials. The words “anticipate,”
“appear,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,”
“predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,”
“should,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements
contain these identifying words. Each forward-looking statement is
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statement.
Applicable risks and uncertainties include the risks that the
preclinical testing of the Company’s compounds and preliminary data from
clinical trials may not be predictive of the results or success of
ongoing or later clinical trials, that data may not be available when we
expect it to be, that the Company will be unable to successfully
complete the clinical development of its compounds, including VS-6063,
VS-4718 and VS-5584, that the development of the Company’s compounds
will take longer or cost more than planned, and that the Company’s
compounds will not receive regulatory approval or become commercially
successful products. Other risks and uncertainties include those
identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Source:
Verastem, Inc.
Brian Sullivan, 617-252-9314
bsullivan@verastem.com