SAN DIEGO--- Cardium Therapeutics Announces Addition of Vice President - Regulatory Affairs to Advance Commercial Development of
Cardium Therapeutics Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aries Ventures Inc. , announced today the addition of Jennifer A. Spinella as Vice President - Regulatory Affairs.
Christopher J. Reinhard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cardium Therapeutics said, "We are pleased to welcome Jennifer to Cardium Therapeutics. Jennifer's significant experience in pharmaceutical product development will assist us with the regulatory approval process relating to the commercial development of our lead product, Generx, a DNA-based angiogenic therapeutic."
Ms. Spinella was formerly Director of Regulatory Affairs at Biogen Idec Inc. and was responsible for the regulatory strategy and recent supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Rituxan(R) in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Before joining Biogen Idec in 2003, she was Director of Regulatory Affairs at Idun Pharmaceuticals Inc. and held various regulatory positions at Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Chugai Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Dura Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Gensia Pharmaceuticals Inc. Ms. Spinella earned her B.S. in Medical Technology from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska.
About the Company
Cardium Therapeutics Inc. (the Company), headquartered in San Diego, is primarily focused on interventional cardiology and the development and commercialization of non-surgical cardiovascular gene therapeutics. The Company's lead product candidate, Generx(TM), is a non-surgical angiogenic therapy designed to be a one-time treatment for patients with recurrent angina due to coronary artery disease. Generx and the related cardiovascular technology platform were pioneered by Collateral Therapeutics, a San Diego-based biotechnology company co-founded by the Company's CEO Christopher Reinhard. In 1996, Schering AG Germany and Collateral Therapeutics entered into a strategic partnership to develop angiogenic DNA-based therapeutics, including Generx. Based on the advancing clinical progress of Generx, Schering AG acquired Collateral Therapeutics in 2002. In October 2005, the Company announced the acquisition of a portfolio of cardiovascular growth factor therapeutics from Schering AG Germany, including the later-stage product candidate, Generx, and simultaneously merged with a specially formed subsidiary of Aries Ventures Inc. and completed a $30 million financing. For more information about the Company and its product candidates, please visit www.cardiumthx.com.