Affymax CEO Arlene Morris Joins Nuon Therapeutics’ Board of Directors as Chair
San Mateo, CA, July 16, 2009 - Nuon Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage, privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on novel therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, announced today that Arlene Morris, president and CEO of Affymax, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFY), has been elected chairperson of the company’s Board of Directors. A proven commercial leader in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry with more than 25 years of experience, Ms. Morris is well suited to work with the management team at Nuon Therapeutics.
“We are pleased to welcome Arlene to our Board of Directors,” said Rodney Pearlman, Ph.D., president and CEO of Nuon Therapeutics. “She has an impressive track record as a senior executive and her expertise will be invaluable to the Board and the Company as we continue to build and prepare for the commercialization of our pipeline.”
“I am excited to have an opportunity to work closely with the talented management team and high quality group of investors and directors at Nuon Therapeutics,” said Ms. Morris. “The company has brought forward exciting clinical stage product opportunities in a very focused business model.”
Ms. Morris replaces Raymond Withy, Ph.D., who is retiring from the Board after serving as chairman since 2007. “We are grateful for Dr. Withy’s valuable contributions to Nuon Therapeutics,” said Dr. Pearlman.
Ms. Morris has served as the president and CEO of Affymax, Inc., since June 2003. She has more than 25 years of management experience from Johnson & Johnson, Scios Inc., Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc., and Clearview Projects. Ms. Morris received her B.A. degree in biology and chemistry from Carlow College and studied marketing at Western New England College. She is also on the board of BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization) and MediciNova.
About Nuon Therapeutics, Inc.
Nuon Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative small molecule drugs that address critical, unmet needs in autoimmune disease, inflammation and pain. Nuon Therapeutics’ initial programs, based on an exclusive license to technology developed by Imperial College London and Stanford University, are focused on developing tranilast to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory and pain diseases. The Company has raised a total of $32 million since 2007 from investors including Frazier Healthcare Ventures, Domain Associates, L.L.C., and GBS Venture Partners to support clinical development. Nuon Therapeutics, Inc. has its headquarters in San Mateo, CA and has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Nuon Therapeutics Pty. Ltd., in Australia. For additional information, please visit: www.nuontherapeutics.com