(BW HealthWire) — IDEC Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:IDPH) today announced that Christine A. White, M.D., has been promoted to Vice President, Clinical Oncology and Hematology.
“This promotion is in recognition of the leadership roles Dr. White has played within the company over the past four years. Of particular significance are her successful efforts in leading the clinical development of ZEVALIN(TM) through Phase III and her current efforts in the preparation of the Biologics Licensing Application to be filed with the United States Food and Drug Administration,” said Antonio Grillo-Lopez, IDEC’s Chief Medical Officer.
IDEC intends to submit ZEVALIN, an investigational therapy seeking to combine the targeting power of monoclonal antibodies with the cancer-killing ability of radiation, to the FDA in the fourth quarter of this year.
Dr. White is responsible for managing the Department of Clinical Hematology and Oncology and leading the multidisciplinary ZEVALIN Clinical Working Team within Medical and Regulatory Affairs. She will also play a major role in the evaluation of new products and technology in the area of hematology and oncology.
Dr. White joined IDEC in June 1996 as a Senior Director, Clinical Oncology and Hematology, having contributed to IDEC’s product development when she was a clinical investigator for both Rituxan(R) and ZEVALIN. As Senior Director she participated in the preparation of the Biologic Licensing Application to the FDA for Rituxan(R) and is participating in the preparation of the BLA for ZEVALIN. In addition, she has made numerous academic and analyst presentations and has contributed to the evaluation of strategic product acquisitions.
Prior to joining IDEC, Dr. White served as Director of Clinical Oncology Research from 1994 to 1996 at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and Sharp Health Care in San Diego, California. From 1983 to 1994, she was on Staff at Scripps Memorial Hospitals, La Jolla and Encinitas, California, where she served as Medical Director of Oncology Research from 1989 to 1994, and Department of Medicine Chair, in 1994.
Dr. White is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Association of Cancer Research, American Society of Breast Diseases, New York Academy of Sciences, American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Society for Biological Therapy and a past member of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society of North America, San Diego County Medical Society, and the California Medical Association.
IDEC Pharmaceuticals focuses on the commercialization and development of targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. IDEC’s antibody products act chiefly through immune system mechanisms, exerting their effect by binding to specific, readily targeted immune cells in the patient’s blood or lymphatic systems.
IDEC Pharmaceuticals’ news releases are available at no charge through Business Wire’s News on Demand Plus. For a menu of IDEC’s current news releases and quarterly reports or to retrieve a specific release, call (888) 329-2309. On the Internet check the News Center at IDEC’s website: http://idecpharm.cdmail.biz.
The statements made in this press release contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from IDEC’s expectations. For example, the timing, success and cost of preclinical research and clinical studies, the timing, acceptability and review periods for regulatory filings, the timing of and ability to obtain regulatory approval of products, the achievement of future product sales, the level of manufacturing performance and the risk factors listed from time to time in IDEC’s SEC filings including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, may affect the actual results achieved by IDEC. These forward-looking statements represent the company’s judgment as of the date of this release. The company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
IDEC Pharmaceuticals and Rituxan are registered U.S. trademarks of the company. ZEVALIN is a trademark of the company. The company’s headquarters is located at 3030 Callan Road, San Diego, CA 92121.
CONTACT: IDEC Pharmaceuticals
Vince Reardon, 858/431-8656