Full Press Release Details
Abeona Therapeutics Appoints Jo o
Chief Executive Officer
Former AveXis Director brings 30 years
of experience to the Company
NEW YORK and CLEVELAND, Feb. 11, 2019 - Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO), a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company developing novel cell and gene therapies for serious diseases, today announced the appointment of Jo o Siffert,
M.D. as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Dr. Siffert joined Abeona as Head of Reasearch & Development
(R&D) and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in 2018, and has served as interim CEO since November of last year. Dr. Siffert will
retain his responsibilities as Head of R&D and CMO until a clinical development lead is identified.
"The Board is confident that Jo o
has the right mix of character, leadership, and knowledge to focus Abeona on achieving near-term goals that will pave the way to
long-term value for the company," said Steven H. Rouhandeh, Chairman of the Board and Executive Chairman. "His track
record of leading successful therapeutic development programs and his experience at the Board level in gene therapy are well-suited
to the opportunities that lie ahead for Abeona."
"I am honored to assume the role
of CEO and thankful for the Board's confidence in me. I look forward to leading and standing alongside a dedicated team of
employees who are committed to bringing transformative treatments for patients in need," said Dr. Siffert. "The combination
of important clinical milestones on the near term horizon, a world-class cell and gene therapy manufacturing facility, and the
therapeutic potential of the next-generation AIM vector platform make this an exciting time to take the helm."
Dr. Siffert has successfully led multiple drug development programs
from pre-clinical to regulatory approvals and commercial launches in the U.S. and Europe, and has held several scientific leadership
positions in biotech and pharma, including programs in gene therapy. In 2017, Dr. Siffert was appointed to the Board of Directors
of gene therapy developer AveXis, which was subsequently acquired by Novartis. He served as Chief Medical Officer for Ceregene
from 2007 to 2011, where he was responsible for clinical development of adeno-associated viral (AAV2)-based gene therapies for
Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Dr. Siffert also led the R&D and medical organizations at Avanir Pharmaceuticals
and Avera Pharmaceuticals before most recently guiding translational research, clinical development, regulatory, and medical affairs
and health economics as Chief Scientific and Medical Officer for Nestle Health Science. Before joining industry, Dr. Siffert spent
seven years in academic practice as a neuro-oncologist. He holds an M.D. from the University of S o Paulo and an MBA from
Columbia Business School.
About Abeona Therapeutics
Abeona Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing cell and gene therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases. Abeona's lead programs
include EB-101, its gene-corrected cell therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, and ABO-102, a novel AAV9 based
gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA). The Company's portfolio of AAV9 based gene therapies also features
ABO-101 for Sanfilippo syndrome type B (MPS IIIB), and ABO-201 and ABO-202 for CLN3 disease and CLN1 disease, respectively. Its
preclinical assets include ABO-401, which uses the novel AIM AAV vector platform to address all mutations of cystic fibrosis.
Abeona has received numerous regulatory designations from the FDA and EMA for its pipeline candidates and is the only company
with Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation for two investigational therapies (EB-101 and ABO-102). www.abeonatherapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include statements about the ability of its
management team to lead the Company and deliver on key strategies, the market opportunities for the Company's products and
product candidates, and the Company's goals and objectives. We have attempted to identify forward looking statements
by such terminology as "may," "will," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events,
conditions or circumstances), which constitute and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, numerous risks
and uncertainties, including but not limited to continued interest in our rare disease portfolio, our ability to enroll patients
in clinical trials, the impact of competition, the ability to secure licenses for any technology that may be necessary to commercialize
our products, the ability to achieve or obtain necessary regulatory approvals, the impact of changes in the financial markets and
global economic conditions, risks associated with data analysis and reporting, and other risks as may be detailed from time to
time in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements
or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this presentation, whether as a result of new
information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.
Director, Investor Relations
Abeona Therapeutics Inc.
Director, Corporate Communications
Abeona Therapeutics Inc.