Biopharmaceutical company Appili Therapeutics Inc. (APLI.TSX) has appointed Carl Gelhaus, Ph.D. as Director of Non-Clinical Research and Arthur Baran, B.Sc., MBA, PMP as Director of New Product Development.
Baran's position heading up New Product Development will include work on ATI-1701, which has the potential to be the first of its kind vaccine against aerosolized Francisella tularensis which can cause Tularemia, a disease that infects both animals and people.
The pathogen has been classified as Category A and top-priority biothreat by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Gelhaus has more than 20 years of experience working in infectious disease and animal model research, with an emphasis on studying tularemia. He has worked extensively on ATI-1701 and presented positive interim data in 2020.
Arthur Baran brings more than 22 years of experience in program management, drug product development leadership, business development, and more. A news release from Appili Therapeutics said that Baran will be developing "systems, processes, and tools" that will aid business planning and decision-making.
President and CEO of Appili Therapeutics Dr. Don Cilla, Pharm.D., M.B.A. said it's a "pivotal time" for the company, and was positive about moving forward with the ATI-1701 with "Carl's expertise with Francisella tularensis and Art's skills in program management and internal organization."
Appili Therapeutics is an infectious disease and biodefense biopharmaceutical company with the goal of solving life-threatening infections. They identify urgent infections that have previously been overlooked, or those with treatment needs that are not being met, and work to find a solution that will prevent deaths and improve lives.
According to its website, the company is currently working to eliminate a significant biological weapon threat, an easy-to-use liquid oral formulation that targets parasitic and anaerobic infections, and an antiparasitic that treats a disfiguring disease.
The company also recently appointed Dr. Gary Nabors, Ph.D., as Appili's Chief Development Officer. Dr. Nabor will "lead the advancement of programs through development, regulatory submission, and key commercialization milestones."
An expert and industry veteran, Dr. Nabors said "The work being done in anti-infectives at Appili is important and I am eager to help further establish us as a key player in the fight against infection."
Multiple Upcoming Catalysts
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently accepted a New Drug Application (NDA) for ATI-1501, which, it is hoped, will be an alternative to the traditional tablet form of the widely-used antibiotic Metronidazole, for those who struggle to take it as such. ATI-1501 will be, according to Appili's website, "a proprietary taste-masked liquid suspension reformulation of metronidazole."
The company will also soon initiate IND-enabling toxicology studies for FATI-1701. IND refers to an Investigational New Drug Application, which is a request to the FDA to administer a drug to humans.
Appili Therapeutics is also working with regulatory authorities on development plans for ATI-1801, which is a paromomycin, or antimicrobial, product used in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a skin infection.
The company plans to select a Contract Drug Manufacturing Organization to produce the topical cream formulation., and anticipates being able to provide an update on the program later this year.
Ownership and Share Structure
Appili Therapeutics Inc is headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It has a market cap of CA$4.851 million and 121 million shares outstanding.
Members of its board include Dr. Armand Balboni, Dr. Theresa Matkovits of Matinas BioPharma Holdings Inc, and Brian Bloom of Bloom Burton & Co Ltd.
In terms of ownership, 71.4% of shares (around 86 million) are owned by the general public, while private companies hold 12.4% (around 15 million shares).
It trades at a 52-week range of between CA$0.03 and CA$0.11.
Sign up for our FREE newsletter
Disclosures:
1) Lauren Rickard wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor/employee. They or members of their household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. They or members of their household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. Their company has a financial relationship with the following companies referred to in this article: None.
2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. As of the date of this article, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports has a consulting relationship with None. Please click here for more information. An affiliate of Streetwise Reports is conducting a digital media marketing campaign for this article on behalf of None. Please click here for more information. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
3) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.
4) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. CHECK
