-- New role expands Company’s manufacturing expertise to support pipeline of mRNA
therapeutics in development for rare, genetic diseases --
LEXINGTON, Mass., April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Translate Bio (Nasdaq: TBIO), a clinical-stage messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics company developing a new class of potentially transformative medicines to treat diseases caused by protein or gene dysfunction, today announced the appointment of Pasquale (Pat) Sacco as senior vice president of technical operations. Mr. Sacco brings more than 30 years of extensive experience in leading technical operations strategy and execution within the biotech and life sciences industries, including manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering, technical sciences, and process development. He will be responsible for leading all manufacturing and related functions at Translate Bio.
“We are very proud of the work our team has accomplished over the last decade to develop and scale an industry-leading mRNA and lipid nanoparticle manufacturing process, which we believe is differentiated in this space,” said Ronald Renaud, chief executive officer, Translate Bio. “We are thrilled to have Pat join the leadership team as we continue to invest in and expand our manufacturing capabilities. His technical operations expertise will be critical as we continue to scale up our processes to meet the needs of our growing pipeline of mRNA therapeutics.”
“I am excited to join Translate Bio and play a role in advancing the Company’s manufacturing capabilities and processes at this exciting time in the mRNA therapeutics space,” said Mr. Sacco. “Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to see companies through times of rapid growth while driving continuous process improvement and organizational capabilities. I look forward to the opportunity to apply this know-how to my work at Translate Bio, and join the Company in their mission to develop novel therapeutics for patients suffering from rare, genetic diseases with few or no treatment options today.”
Mr. Sacco brings to Translate Bio more than 30 years of technical operations and supply chain experience from leadership roles at biotech and life sciences organizations. He spent 16 years at Shire, a leading global biotechnology company focused on rare diseases and highly specialized conditions. In his most recent role as Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Site Operations at Shire, Mr. Sacco led the internal manufacturing organization and site operations, including oversight of multiple plants and warehouses, and the production of clinical and commercial biologic products. In previous positions of increasing responsibility at Shire, he developed and executed a long-term biologics manufacturing supply strategy, enabling implementation of a multi-year, capital investment and organizational development portfolio. Mr. Sacco holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering/Biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).
About Translate Bio
Translate Bio is a clinical-stage mRNA therapeutics company developing a new class of potentially transformative medicines to treat diseases caused by protein or gene dysfunction. The Company’s MRT platform is designed to develop product candidates that deliver mRNA carrying instructions to produce intracellular, transmembrane and secreted proteins for therapeutic benefit. Translate Bio believes that its MRT platform is applicable to a broad range of diseases caused by insufficient protein production or where production of proteins can modify disease, including diseases that affect the lung, liver, eye, central nervous system and lymphatic system. The Company also believes its MRT platform may be applied to various classes of treatments, such as therapeutic antibodies or vaccines in areas such as infectious disease and oncology. Translate Bio’s two lead programs are being developed as treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF) and ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency. For more information about the Company, please visit www.translate.bio or on Twitter at @TranslateBio.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those regarding: Translate Bio’s expectations regarding the potential for the newly appointed officer to provide experience and play a role in advancing the Company’s manufacturing capabilities; the Company’s plans to scale up its manufacturing processes; and Translate Bio’s plans, strategies and prospects for its business, including its lead development programs. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from current expectations and beliefs, including but not limited to: Translate Bio’s ability to advance the development of its platform and programs under the timelines it projects, demonstrate the requisite safety and efficacy of its product candidates and replicate in clinical trials any positive findings from preclinical studies; the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, other regulatory authorities and investigational review boards at clinical trial sites, including as it relates to ongoing and planned clinical trials; Translate Bio’s ability to obtain, maintain and enforce necessary patent and other intellectual property protection (for example, two of our patents issued in Europe are under opposition); the availability of significant cash required to fund operations; competitive factors; general economic and market conditions and other important risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Translate Bio’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2019 and in any other subsequent filings made by Translate Bio. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Translate Bio specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts for Translate Bio
Investors Media
Teri Dahlman Maura Gavaghan
tdahlman@translate.bio mgavaghan@translate.bio
857-242-7792 857-242-7789