J. CLAUDE BENNETT, M.D., PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF BIOCRYST, HONORED BY AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY
Recognition as a Master of the College of Rheumatology is one of the highest honors that the ACR can present to a member. The distinction is bestowed upon members of the ACR who have set the highest professional standards in advancing the art and science of rheumatology. Dr. Bennett and eleven others received the honor this year, bringing the total number of Masters to 104.
A nationally recognized academician and clinical researcher, Dr. Bennett came to BioCryst at the end of 1996 with more than 35 years of research, medical and executive experience. Prior to assuming the position of President/COO of BioCryst, Dr. Bennett served as President of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Professor and Chairman of the University's Department of Medicine from 1982 to 1993.
Dr. Bennett earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. In addition, Dr. Bennett did postdoctoral work in medicine, immunology, rheumatology, and molecular biology at the University of Alabama Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, National Institutes of Health, and California Institute of Technology. He joined UAB as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine in 1965. During his career, Dr. Bennett has published more than 225 articles, abstracts, and editorials. Currently, he is the senior co-editor of the Cecil Textbook of Medicine.
Founded in 1986, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. designs and develops novel small-molecule pharmaceuticals using structure-based drug design, an approach to drug discovery that integrates advanced biology, biophysics, and medicinal chemistry. BioCryst is in clinical trials with its purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitor drug candidate, BCX-34, for T-cell related disorders such as psoriasis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and HIV. Additionally, the Company’s serine protease inhibitor drug candidate, BCX-1470, designed to inhibit activation of the complement pathway, is in initial clinical trials. BioCryst also has a preclinical development program with drugs designed to inhibit the influenza neuraminidase enzyme associated with flu infection.
This press release contains projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the Company. These statements are only predictions and the actual events or results may differ materially. Please refer to the documents BioCryst files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically BioCryst’s most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements.