ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic
Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), a developer of anti-infective
biologic and drug candidates targeting specific pathogens that
cause serious infections and other diseases, announced today that
Founder, Board member and subsidiary CEO and President,
Steve H. Kanzer, has resigned from
the Company, effective immediately, to return his focus to his
venture capital and investment banking firms on a full-time
basis.
Mr. Kanzer founded Synthetic Biologics, Inc. in 2001 and has
served as a member of the Board of Directors since inception, and
as Chairman of the Board through February
2010. Mr. Kanzer also served the Company as President from
February 2001 until May 2006, Chief Executive Officer from
September 2004 until November 2008, Interim Director of Biologic
Programs from January 2012 through
September 2012, and Licensing
Associate from September 2012 through
December 2013. Most recently, Mr.
Kanzer served as CEO and President of the Company's majority owned
subsidiary, Synthetic Biomics, Inc., where he successfully led the
efforts to in-license the Company's anti-methanogen and irritable
bowel syndrome programs from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
"Steve Kanzer's unique sense for
identifying novel technologies and for providing keen strategic
insight have been invaluable qualities that helped build the
foundation for Synthetic Biologics," stated Jeffrey Riley, Chief Executive Officer at
Synthetic Biologics. "As we have grown over the years into a
company leading the pursuit for preventions and treatments
targeting specific pathogens that cause serious infections and
other diseases, Steve has remained committed to the best interests
of shareholders, employees, clinicians and patients. We look
forward to continuing Steve's legacy of innovation and moving our
pipeline of anti-infective candidates toward the clinic."
Mr. Riley concluded, "While I and the entire Board respect
Steve's decision, we will miss his distinctive point of view, his
extraordinary vision and his astute guidance. On behalf of the
Board and the Company, we thank Steve for his dedication and many
years of service, and wish him all the best in his future
endeavors."
About Synthetic Biologics, Inc.
Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN) is a biotechnology
company focused on the development of anti-infective biologic and
drug candidates targeting specific pathogens that cause serious
infections and other diseases. The Company is developing an oral
treatment to reduce the impact of methane producing organisms on
conditions such as constipation-predominant irritable bowel
syndrome (C-IBS), an oral biologic to protect the gastrointestinal
microflora from the effects of IV antibiotics for the prevention of
C. diff infection, a series of monoclonal antibodies for the
treatment of Pertussis and Acinetobacter infections, and a
biologic targeted at the prevention and treatment of a root
cause of IBS. In addition, the Company is developing an oral
estriol drug for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis (MS) and cognitive dysfunction in MS. For more
information, please visit Synthetic Biologics' website at
www.syntheticbiologics.com.
This release includes forward-looking statements on Synthetic
Biologics' current expectations and projections about future
events. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified
by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue,"
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes,"
"estimates," and similar expressions. These statements are based
upon current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult
to predict and include statements regarding the expected impact of
future trial results and continuing Steve
Kanzer's legacy of innovation and moving our pipeline of
anti-infective candidates toward the clinic. The
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set
forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those reflected in Synthetic Biologics' forward-looking statements
include, among others, future trial results not meeting our
expectations, our ability to successfully innovate and apply our
strategic vision and other factors described in Synthetic
Biologics' report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and any other filings with the
SEC. The information in this release is provided only as of the
date of this release, and Synthetic Biologics undertakes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in
this release on account of new information, future events, or
otherwise, except as required by law.
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130522/MM19465LOGO
SOURCE Synthetic Biologics, Inc.