Russell G. Greig Appointed as Chairman of Syntaxin

OXFORD, England, January 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Syntaxin, a biotechnology company developing novel biopharmaceuticals to control cell secretion, today announced Dr Russell G. Greig, Ph. D., has been appointed as Chairman with immediate effect.

In joining Syntaxin, Dr. Greig brings with him over 30 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with knowledge and expertise in research and development, business development and commercial operations. Prior to joining the company, Dr. Greig was President of SR One, GSK's Corporate Venture Group.

Dr. Greig spent the majority of his career at GlaxoSmithKline, where he held a number of positions including GSK's President of Pharmaceuticals International from 2003-2008 and Senior Vice President Worldwide in Business Development for R&D.

Dr Greig joined GSK in 1980 in the Discovery Unit of R&D and continued to progressively hold positions of responsibility with R&D over the next three decades. Dr Greig served as the Vice President and Director of Advanced Technologies in Genetics from 1993 to 1996, with special responsibility for managing collaborations with The Institute of Genomic Research and Human Genome Sciences. In this position, he played a central role in managing SmithKline Beecham's scientific and commercial relationship with Human Genome Sciences and TIGR and extending its network of genomic alliances to other pharmaceutical companies.

Since 2009, Dr. Greig has been a Director at Rib-X Pharmaceuticals; and a Director and Executive Chairman at Anaphore Inc. since June 2010. Dr Greig also serves as a Director at Genocea Biosciences, Inc and sits on the Board of Edinburgh BioQuarter Commercialisation Advisory Group. Dr. Greig holds a Bachelor of Science and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester, England and was a Fulbright Scholar.

Commenting on Dr Russell Greig's appointment, Dr Melanie Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Syntaxin, said: "I'd like to thank Andrew Sandham, who has been Chairman since the founding of Syntaxin five years ago, for his considerable contribution to the growth, development and success of the Company to date. Syntaxin is now at a transformational stage of its development. Russell's knowledge and experience, working with both big pharma companies and in supporting high growth emerging companies will be invaluable in maximising the potential of our innovative technology platform."

Dr. Greig said: "I look forward to joining Syntaxin as it enters a new stage in its growth strategy. Syntaxin has a novel technology platform with great potential. The recent fundraising established strong foundations for this exciting company. The commitment of its returning investors and the joining of new corporate investors is a testament to the quality of Syntaxin's management, business strategy and technology. I look forward to working with Melanie and the management team to maximise the value of Syntaxin's portfolio and technology platform.''

About Syntaxin (http://www.syntaxin.com)

Syntaxin discovers and develops a new class of biopharmaceuticals which treat disease through selective inhibition of cell secretory processes. It is developing cell secretion inhibitors for the treatment of a range of endocrine diseases, including acromegaly.

Syntaxin's new Executive Management, appointed in February 2010, brings a wealth of industry experience to the Company. Chief Executive Officer, Dr Melanie Lee, spent a decade in research with GlaxoSmithKline and subsequently held leadership positions at Celltech and UCB. Chief Business Officer, Dr Nigel Clark, was formerly Vice President Business Development with Vernalis and has a strong track record in building strategic alliances. Dr John Court, Chief Development Officer, was previously founder and CEO of Fulcrum Pharma, an international contract drug development business, following R&D roles at Roche and Wellcome.

Syntaxin was founded in late 2005 through a spinout of intellectual property and scientists from the Health Protection Agency a UK government agency tasked with protecting human health, and benefits from 15 years of research in the field of bacterial toxin engineering. The company owns dominant patents and know how in the design, manufacture and use of novel cell TSI based on engineered botulinum toxins. It has established a strong IP base with over 50 granted patents covering the platform and products. It is backed by a blue chip investor base including: Abingworth, Lundbeckfond Ventures, LSP, Ipsen, JJDC, Quest, Seventure, and SR One.

Syntaxin's Targeted Secretion Inhibitors (TSI) technology platform

Syntaxin's TSI products are biological molecules synthesized in microbial cell culture, which selectively bind to their chosen targeted cells and become internalised to deliver endopeptidases into the cell's cytoplasm, preventing further vesicular secretion. A single dose provides an extended duration of action from weeks to months.

    
    Contact Details

    Syntaxin Ltd
    Melanie Lee, Nigel Clark
    Tel: +44(0)1235-552161
    Email: Melanie.lee@syntaxin.com

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    Capital MS&L
    Mary Clark, Justine Lamond & Hollie Vile
    Tel: +44(0)20-7307-5337
    Email:Syntaxin@capitalmsl.com