Karyopharm Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Garen Bohlin to Board of DirectorsNatick, Mass. – October 3, 2013 – Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel first-in-class drugs directed against nuclear transport targets for the treatment of cancer and other major diseases, today announced the appointment of Garen Bohlin to its board of directors, effective immediately. Mr. Bohlin has held senior executive positions among biotechnology companies for almost 30 years.
In his most recent role, Mr. Bohlin was Executive Vice President of Constellation Pharmaceuticals. Previously, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline. Prior to Sirtris, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Syntonix Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Biogen Idec. Prior to Syntonix, he was Executive Vice President of Genetics Institute, which was acquired by American Home Products/Wyeth. Mr. Bohlin played a key strategic role in each of his positions and also had substantial operational experience. Mr. Bohlin currently serves on the board of directors of Acusphere, Inc, Precision Dermatology, Inc and Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
“Garen has extensive operational and board experience in the biotechnology industry,” stated Michael Kauffman, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Karyopharm. “We are enthusiastic about his addition to our board and believe he will make an important contribution to our progress.”
About Karyopharm
Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company founded by Dr. Sharon Shacham and co-founded by Dr. Michael Kauffman in the new field of nuclear transport biology. Karyopharm’s Selective Inhibitors of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds function by enabling the retention of multiple tumor suppressor proteins in the nucleus, leading to activation of their tumor suppressor function. Karyopharm’s lead drug candidate, SINE compound Selinexor (KPT-330), is in three Phase 1 clinical trials for advanced solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. The related SINE compound Verdinexor (KPT-335) has completed a pivotal study as an oral treatment for pet dogs with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, one of the most common canine cancers. Karyopharm is also testing SINE compounds in autoimmune, viral and dermatologic disorders. Karyopharm is located in Natick, Massachusetts.