Renowned pharmacologist joins world-leading research and development effortRelease date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010PDF version: 
news-20100915.pdf
Vancouver, British Columbia – September 15, 2010
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc., a private, venture-backed, biopharmaceutical company developing novel and targeted small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory disease and cancer, announced today the appointment of Csaba Szabó, M.D., Ph.D., as Vice President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer.
A scientific thought leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr. Szabó has over 15 years of research and development experience in small molecule drug development against unique targets and varied indications including inflammation. He has successfully directed the development of innovative research concepts, drug candidates, is a co-author of over 500 peer-reviewed publications, and is a co-inventor on over 20 issued or pending patents. In addition, many of Dr. Szabo’s research initiatives have become the foundation of numerous pharmaceutical partnerships and collaborations.
“Dr. Szabó’s experience in small molecule drug development combined with his expertise in pharmacological modulation of cell metabolism make him an ideal addition to lead the company’s research efforts,” stated David J. Main, President and Chief Executive Office of Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc. “His impressive track record of accomplishments, both academically and industrially, will be a great addition to Aquinox’s leadership team as we pioneer first-in-class anti-inflammatory drugs against a new and exciting target, SHIP1.”
Dr. Szabó joins Aquinox most recently from Ikaria, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer and led the strategic design and implementation of accelerated development activities for the company’s preclinical- and clinical-stage compounds. Prior to his time at Ikaria, Dr. Szabó was a co-founder of Inotek Pharmaceuticals where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.
Dr. Szabó has held academic positions at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the University of Cincinnati and also holds a Visiting Professorship at the University of Texas. He received his M.D. and a Ph.D. in Physiology from Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, and received Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of London, England. Dr. Szabó has received several scientific awards including the Novartis Award of the British Pharmacological Society and is listed by Thomson Reuters as one of the top 10 most cited pharmacologists in the world.
Aquinox Pharmaceutical’s lead candidate, AQX-1125, is an oral, small molecule activator of SHIP1 and is on-track to commence a Phase I clinical study in early 2011.
About Aquinox Pharmaceuticals
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the world leader in the discovery and development of novel, first-in-class, small molecule therapeutics targeting SH2-containing inositol-5′-phosphatase (“SHIP1”) for the treatment of inflammatory disease and cancer. The Company’s lead clinical candidate, AQX-1125, is a highly active and selective small molecule allosteric activator of SHIP1 suitable for once-daily oral dosing. Aquinox anticipates filing an IND in the fourth quarter of 2010. The Company has a broad intellectual property portfolio and deep pipeline of preclinical drug candidates that allosterically modulate SHIP1. For more information, please visit www.aqxpharma.com.
Contact
David Main or Jason Robertson
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc.
604.629.9223
info@aqxpharma.com