RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), a leading, clinical-stage adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy company, today announced that its president and chief scientific officer, Jude Samulski, PhD, has been honored as one of the Triangle Business Journal’s (TBJ) 2020 Life Sciences Award winners.
The award recognizes individuals and research organizations at the forefront of innovation in the growing Triangle-area life sciences industry, representing biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, human health, medical devices and diagnostics. As one of only four individuals to be awarded in 2020, Samulski is featured alongside this year’s class of 11 winners in TBJ’s August 21 issue.
“It’s an honor to be recognized as part of this esteemed group that is driving transformation and growth in our local life sciences industry,” said Samulski. “I am truly grateful to be part of a team that is passionate about advancing genetic technologies and life-saving gene therapies and for the opportunity to work together to bring much-needed advances to people who are affected by genetic disorders.”
This is the second recent accolade for Samulski, who was named one of PharmaVOICE Magazine’s Most Inspiring Leaders in Life Sciences earlier this month. Nearly four decades ago, he was the first to successfully clone AAV for use as a vector to deliver therapeutic payloads as potentially curative treatments for numerous genetic disorders. Since co-founding AskBio in 2001, Samulski has maintained an unwavering commitment to patients by creating and leading teams dedicated to challenging the status quo by pursuing new solutions.
TBJ is the leading provider of local business news for the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina. The Triangle is the fifth fastest-growing life sciences market in the nation. There are currently nearly 600 life science companies in the area, with a collective local workforce of about 60,000, according to data from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
About AskBio
Founded in 2001, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) is a privately held, fully integrated AAV gene therapy company dedicated to developing life-saving medicines that cure genetic diseases. Its pipeline includes clinical-stage programs in Pompe disease and congestive heart failure and a diverse preclinical portfolio of therapeutics targeting neuromuscular, CNS and other diseases, as well as out-licensed clinical indications for hemophilia (Chatham Therapeutics, acquired by Takeda) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Bamboo Therapeutics, acquired by Pfizer). AskBio’s gene therapy platform includes Pro10™, an industry-leading proprietary cell line manufacturing process, and an extensive AAV capsid and promoter library. With global headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and European headquarters in Edinburgh, UK, the company has generated hundreds of proprietary third-generation AAV capsids and promoters, several of which have entered clinical testing. An early innovator in the space, the company holds more than 500 patents in areas such as AAV production and chimeric and self-complementary capsids.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will,” “intends,” “potential,” “possible” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding AskBio’s pipeline of developmental candidates; AskBio’s goal of developing life-saving medicines aimed at curing genetic diseases; the expectation of the impact of Dr. Samulski’s continuing leadership impact; and AskBio’s ability to innovate and commitment to developing new technologies.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond AskBio’s control. Known risks include, among others: AskBio may not be able to execute on its business plans and goals, including meeting its expected or planned regulatory milestones and timelines, clinical development plans and bringing its product candidates to market due to a variety of reasons, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, possible limitations of company financial and other resources, manufacturing limitations that may not be anticipated or resolved in a timely manner, potential disagreements or other issues with our third-party collaborators and partners, and regulatory, court or agency feedback or decisions, such as feedback and decisions from the United States Food and Drug Administration or the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Any of the foregoing risks could materially and adversely affect AskBio’s business and results of operations. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. AskBio does not undertake any obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements based on events or circumstances after the date hereof.