Tag Archives: Safi Bahcall

Synta Provides Company Updates and Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2012 Financial Results

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Synta Provides Company Updates and Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2012 Financial Results

Expects mid-year overall survival results from the GALAXY-1 trial for ganetespib in second-line non-small cell lung cancer –

— Expects enrollment of the pivotal GALAXY-2 Phase 3 trial to commence this month —

— Announces key addition to executive management team –

LEXINGTON, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NAS: SNTA) today provided an update on recent progress with its clinical programs and reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.

“Over the past year, we have made strong progress in the development of ganetespib, our Hsp90 inhibitor,” said Dr. Safi Bahcall, President and CEO of Synta. “Interim results presented last year from our GALAXY-1 trial evaluating ganetespib as second-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer showed encouraging clinical activity. We look forward to presenting more mature results from the 240-patient target population of this trial mid-year, and enrolling the first patient in our GALAXY-2 Phase 3 trial before the end of this month.”

“Ganetespib represents a distinct cancer treatment paradigm – targeting one protein, the chaperone, which simultaneously destabilizes a broad range of oncogenic pathways,” said Dr. Sumant Ramachandra, President of Research and Development. “This approach is differentiated: existing cancer therapies are generally either non-specific, for example anti-mitotic chemotherapies, or target one particular signaling protein involved in a limited number of cancer signaling pathways, for example tyrosine kinase inhibitors.”

“The clinical evidence to date, together with the preclinical results that show treatment with ganetespib changes the broader biology of cancer cells, reducing tumor aggressiveness, are encouraging,” continued Dr. Ramachandra. “Results expected later this year will be important in confirming the clinical activity and establishing the potential for ganetespib beyond lung cancer.”

The safety profile of ganetespib has been favorable in over 700 patients treated to date in more than 20 clinical trials. Transient, mild or moderate diarrhea has been the most commonly reported adverse event.

Key accomplishments in 2012

1. At the 2012 Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), investigators …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Synta Announces Appointment of Sumant Ramachandra, M.D., Ph.D. as President, Research and Developmen

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Synta Announces Appointment of Sumant Ramachandra, M.D., Ph.D. as President, Research and Development

LEXINGTON, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NAS: SNTA) today announced the appointment of Dr. Sumant Ramachandra as President, Research and Development.

Prior to Synta, Dr. Ramachandra was Senior Vice President, Research and Development (R&D), Regulatory and Medical Affairs, and Chief Scientific Officer of Hospira, a specialty pharmaceuticals and medical device company. At Hospira, Dr. Ramachandra led a 1,200 person R&D organization and was recognized for his achievements and contributions as a healthcare leader in PharmaVoice’s “100 of the Most Inspiring People,” Diversity MBA’s “Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders,” and Chicago Business’ “Crain’s 40-under-40.”

Prior to joining Hospira in 2008, Dr. Ramachandra was Vice President and oncology portfolio therapeutic area leader at Merck & Co. (formerly Schering-Plough), and prior to Merck/Schering-Plough he was therapeutic area head for medical oncology at Pfizer (formerly Pharmacia). At these companies, Dr. Ramachandra drove the development, regulatory approval, and market expansion studies for numerous oncology products.

“Sumant brings a broad range of development and regulatory leadership experience, as well as a unique perspective having led both oncology development at large pharmaceutical companies, and the broader range of R&D functions at a large, global specialty pharma company,” said Safi Bahcall, President and CEO, Synta. “Sumant’s experiences with a wide range of drugs, manufacturers, pharma companies, payors, providers, and regulatory agencies will enhance our ability to realize the full potential of our product pipeline to benefit patients.”

“The programs at Synta can change the treatment of many types of cancers,” said Dr. Ramachandra. “In addition, Synta’s culture of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to speed and excellence in execution are exciting and critical to success in our industry. I am very much looking forward to being part of the Synta team and contributing to bringing these new drugs to cancer patients.”

Dr. Ramachandra received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Rutgers University, and M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School. He conducted his residency at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Dr. Ramachandra also earned a master’s of business administration from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

About Synta Pharmaceuticals

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule drugs to extend and enhance the lives of patients with …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance