SynAct Pharma expands its Rheumatology Clinical Advisory Board with three new highly experienced advisors

SynAct Pharma AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: SYNACT), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the resolution of inflammation through the selective activation of the melanocortin system, today announced the addition of three distinguished rheumatologists to its Rheumatology Clinical Advisory Board. The new Board members have agreed to join the panel to help guide SynAct in the development of resomelagon in RA and potentially other diseases.

New members of SynAct’s Rheumatology Clinical Advisory Board:

  • Roy Fleischmann, MD, MACR
  • Ravi Rao, MD, PhD
  • Vibeke Strand, MD, FACP, MACR

“We are excited to have these distinguished leaders in rheumatology help guide us as we continue to develop resomelagon for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. These individuals have an impressive depth of experience in the treatment of RA patients and the clinical development of advanced therapies across backgrounds spanning academic, private practice and industry settings,” said Torbjørn Bjerke, CEO SynAct Pharma. “Following an intense pipeline strategy review period we are soon ready to announce next steps in the development of resomelagon and other pipeline assets.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to work with the SynAct team to advise them on their resomelagon program. While most RA patients will find significant relief with DMARDs, biologics or other advanced therapies, many still experience inadequate control of their disease activity. We need to develop novel therapies that are safe to use in combination with the DMARDs, biologics and other therapies to help lower patient disease activity beyond what we can achieve on these therapies alone,” said Roy Fleischmann, MD, MACR.

  • Roy Fleischmann, MD, MACR – Master of the American College of Rheumatology and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Co- Medical Director of the Metroplex Clinical Research Center and Division of Rheumatology at the Presbyterian Medical Center in Dallas. He is an Overseas Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a past President of the Texas Rheumatism Association, Division Director Rheumatology, St, Paul Medical Center. He has been involved in the clinical development of most medications approved for rheumatic disease in the US. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented over 500 abstracts at major Rheumatology meetings on disease management and drug development
  • Ravi Rao, MD, PhD – Currently CMO at Sitryx Therapeutics and Venture Partner at SV Health Investors; previously a Consultant Rheumatologist at Imperial College NHS Trust, Roche: Medical Director, Immunology Clinical Development, GSK: VP, Global Medical Head, Immunology-inflammation and Future Pipeline Franchise, SOBI: Head R&D and CMO.
  • Vibeke Strand, MD, FACP, MACR – Adjunct clinical professor in the Division of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University School of Medicine since 1993, previously Assistant and Associate Clinical Professor of Rheumatology at UCSF. Since 1991, she has led a consulting practice offering clinical research and regulatory strategy expertise to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. She has participated in the successful development of csDMARDs, biologics and JAK inhibitors in RA, including working with FDA, CDER, CBER and CDRH. She is a co-founder and member of the Executive Organizing Committee of the international Outcomes in Rheumatology [OMERACT] consensus conferences [1992 – present] which develop and validate outcome measures for use in RCTs and longitudinal observational studies. Vibeke Strand has authored > 500 peer-reviewed publications.

For further information, please contact:
Torbjørn Bjerke, MD
CEO, SynAct Pharma AB
Phone: +46 727 44 41 58
Mail: [email protected]
Mail: [email protected]

About SynAct Pharma AB
SynAct Pharma AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: SYNACT) is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the resolution of inflammation through the selective activation of the melanocortin system. The company has a broad portfolio of oral and injectable selective melanocortin agonists aimed at inducing anti-inflammatory and inflammation resolution activity to help patients achieve immune balance and overcome their inflammation. For more information: www.synactpharma.com