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Antibe Therapeutics strengthens governance and US capital markets expertise with appointments of two independent directors

Published: 09:29 24 Nov 2020 EST

Antibe Therapeutics Inc - Antibe Therapeutics Inc strengthens governance and US capital markets expertise with appointments of to independent directors Robert Hoffman and Jennifer McNealey
Jennifer McNealey is currently vice president of investor relations and strategy for Calithera Biosciences, a clinical stage developer of small molecule oral therapies

Antibe Therapeutics Inc (TSX:ATE) (OTCQB:ATBPF) (FRA:4B7), a clinical stage company leveraging its unique hydrogen sulfide platform to develop safer medicines for pain and inflammation, has appointed industry veterans Robert Hoffman and Jennifer McNealey to its board of directors. 

“We are delighted to welcome Jennifer and Robert to our team,” said Board Chair Walt Macnee in a statement Tuesday.

“Both are highly accomplished biotechnology executives, with significant experience in U.S. capital markets, public company governance and financial operations – all of which will be invaluable to Antibe as we move toward a potential listing on a senior U.S. exchange in parallel with large market partnering efforts.”

READ: Antibe Therapeutics ends fiscal 2Q with C$22.4M in cash ahead of Phase III trial of lead drug otenaproxesul

Until his retirement last month, Hoffman was CFO of San Diego-based Heron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:HRTX) (FRA:AXD2), a commercial-stage drug developer with a pipeline of acute pain therapeutics. During his tenure at Heron, the company raised more than $650 million and launched its second commercial drug product. His career in the sector began in 1997 at Arena Pharmaceuticals, where he rose to become CFO, holding that position for 10 years. While at Arena, he was involved with its initial public offering and financings, raising more than $1.5 billion. 

Hoffman is currently a member of the boards of three pharmaceutical companies: Kura Oncology Inc (NASDAQ:KURA) (FRA:KUR), Kintara Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:KYRA) (FRA:3DM) (as chairman), and ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (NASDAQ:ASLN) (FRA:7A9); he previously served as a board member for three other publicly listed biotechnology companies. 

“The market opportunity for safer, non-opioid pain therapeutics has never been greater,” Hoffman said. “And with otenaproxesul moving into its Phase III program, the company’s strategic opportunities are also expanding. It’s a great time to work with Antibe’s impressive team to capture the full potential of a uniquely promising drug pipeline and platform.”

Antibe said McNealey is a senior financial and strategy executive with considerable breadth of experience in the biotechnology sector, as an analyst, portfolio manager, information provider, and expert in corporate communications and investor relations. 

She is currently vice president of investor relations and strategy for South San Francisco-based Calithera Biosciences, a clinical-stage developer of small-molecule oral therapies targeting a range of cancers and other life-threatening diseases.

McNealey began her career as a healthcare equity analyst, transitioning to management of biopharmaceutical-focused investment funds for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors, Amerindo Investment Advisors and latterly at Franklin Templeton, where she co-managed the Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund. She subsequently founded Laurient LLC, an independent equity research and competitive intelligence platform. Since 2013, McNealey has served on the board of Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc (OTCMKTS:ENZN) (FRA:EZ1). 

“The severe shortcomings of today’s pain medications constitute one of the world’s most pressing medical needs. Patients deserve better. Antibe’s novel drug platform is a promising way forward – I am delighted to be a part of it,” she said. 

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham

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