ROCKVILLE, Md., March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- MacroGenics, Inc, a privately held biotechnology company that develops immunotherapeutics to treat autoimmune disorders, cancer and infectious diseases, today announced the appointment of Eric Risser as Vice President, Business Development. "I am very pleased that we have been able to attract another exceptionally talented professional to the management team at MacroGenics," said Dr. Scott Koenig, President and CEO. "Eric has spent the last 15 years focused on life sciences; his skills will complement our management team’s expertise as we position our company for growth and advance our pipeline towards commercialization."
Mr. Risser brings a wealth of strategic and transactional experience. Prior to joining MacroGenics, he served as Senior Director, Business Development at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, which he joined in 2003. While at Johnson & Johnson, he was responsible for leading global transactions in the pharmaceuticals area, including company acquisitions, product licenses and research collaborations. His areas of expertise include originating collaboration opportunities, managing multi-disciplinary project teams, structuring and negotiating transactions, and formulating integration and alliance management plans.
Before Johnson & Johnson, Mr. Risser started and built a successful consulting practice that provided counsel to emerging life science companies in the United States and Europe. He has also worked as a venture capitalist with BankAmerica Ventures as an investment banker with Lehman Brothers, where he began his career in their New York and London offices. Mr. Risser holds an M.B.A. from Stanford University and a B.A. from Yale University.
"Eric joins us at an important time in MacroGenics’ growth as a company. His business development expertise and skill set will be especially important as we seek global partners for our innovative antibody platform technologies and large library of antibodies that target cancers," stated Dr. Koenig.
About MacroGenics, Inc.
Founded in 2000, MacroGenics is a private, fully-integrated biotechnology company headquartered in Rockville, Maryland that focuses on the development, manufacture and commercialization of immunotherapeutics for autoimmune disorders, cancer and infectious diseases. In October 2007, MacroGenics, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) announced a global strategic alliance to develop and commercialize teplizumab, a humanized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, as well as other potential next-generation anti-CD3 molecules for use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Teplizumab is currently being studied in the PROTÉGÉ trial, a global pivotal Phase II/III clinical trial for individuals with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (for more information, please visit http://www.protegediabetes.org/). In July 2008, MacroGenics acquired Raven Biotechnologies, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company in South San Francisco, California, focused on the discovery and development of monoclonal antibody therapeutics for oncology through its cancer stem-like cell program. MacroGenics' proprietary DART (Dual Affinity Re-Targeting) and Fc-optimization technologies offer ways to improve the function of antibodies and similar molecules. For more information about MacroGenics, please visit http://www.macrogenics.com/.
Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expects," "believes," "intends," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. Specifically, there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, such as the Company’s ability to raise additional capital, and risks related to the Company’s ability to initiate, and enroll patients in, planned clinical trials. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by law.
Contacts:
Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO
or Jim Karrels, Vice President, CFO
both of MacroGenics, Inc., +1-301-251-5172, info@macrogenics.com