Fibrocell Science, Inc. (NYSE MKT:FCSC), an autologous cell therapy
company primarily focused on developing first-in-class treatments for
skin diseases and conditions with high unmet medical needs, today
announced that Robert Sheroff has been appointed vice president of
technical operations for the company. In this newly-created position,
Mr. Sheroff will be responsible for managing the growing manufacturing
needs of azficel-T, as well as manufacturing genetically-modified
fibroblast based products.
“We are advancing azficel-T for additional indications, including
restrictive burn scarring and vocal cord scarring, and look forward to
filing IND’s for our genetically-modified fibroblast products targeting
orphan diseases through our collaboration with Intrexon Corporation
(NYSE:XON),” said David Pernock, chairman and chief executive officer of
Fibrocell Science. “Manufacturing is key to our future endeavors and we
are pleased that Bob will lead these efforts.”
Mr. Sheroff is experienced in managing complex pharmaceutical and
biologic manufacturing systems at several biotechnology and
pharmaceutical companies. Before joining Fibrocell, he was senior vice
president of global operations at Biogen-Idec and was responsible for
supply-chain logistics and external manufacturing. Prior to his tenure
at Biogen-Idec, Mr. Sheroff was vice president of the Janssen Supply
Group, a division of Johnson & Johnson. He was responsible for creating
and managing the division’s pharmaceutical supply chain as well as
improving coordination between commercial and R&D teams. He successfully
introduced numerous new products across a range of therapeutic
categories and led the integration of the Crucell acquisition into the
Janssen supply chain. While at Johnson & Johnson, he was also vice
president of worldwide operations at Centocor and managed and oversaw
the scale-up and manufacture of Remicade®. Mr. Sheroff has a B.Sc. in
Pharmacy from the Rutgers College of Pharmacy and an M.B.A. in
Pharmaceutical Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
“Fibrocell’s autologous fibroblast technology has the potential to
create therapies that could have a significant impact on a number of
disorders for which there are poor therapeutic options today,” said Mr.
Sheroff. “I am looking forward to working with the team to develop and
execute on these strategic initiatives.”
About Fibrocell Science, Inc.
Fibrocell Science, Inc. (NYSE MKT:FCSC) is an autologous cell therapy
company primarily focused on developing first-in-class treatments for
skin diseases and conditions with high unmet medical needs. Based on its
proprietary autologous fibroblast technology, Fibrocell is pursuing
breakthrough medical applications of azficel-T for restrictive burn
scarring and vocal cord scarring. The company’s collaboration with
Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON), a leader in synthetic biology, includes
using genetically-modified fibroblasts for treating orphan skin diseases
for which there are no currently approved products and exploring the
localized treatment of the most common autoimmune skin disease,
moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
Fibrocell’s collaboration with UCLA—focusing on skin-derived stem cells
and more efficient ways to convert skin cells to other cell types—holds
potential for future discovery and development of autologous cellular
therapeutics. For additional information, visit www.fibrocellscience.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not based on historical
fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. While management has based
any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current
expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may
change. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the
filing of IND’s for our genetically-modified fibroblast products
targeting orphan diseases. These forward-looking statements rely on a
number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a
number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are
outside of the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to
materially differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and
other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set
forth under Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated in “Item 1A.
Risk Factors” in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed
since the annual report. The Company operates in a highly competitive
and rapidly changing environment, thus new or unforeseen risks may
arise. Accordingly, investors should not place any reliance on
forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The
Company disclaims any intention to, and undertakes no obligation to,
update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are also urged
to carefully review and consider the other various disclosures in the
Company’s public filings with the SEC.
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