DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Oct. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APRE) (“Aprea”, or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on precision oncology through synthetic lethality, today announced that it has engaged Philippe Pultar, MD as its senior medical advisor to support Aprea with developing and advancing APR-1051, Aprea’s potential best in class WEE1 inhibitor.

Dr. Pultar is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with extensive experience in oncology, including the development of a WEE1 inhibitor (azenosertib) from early to late-stage clinical development. Dr. Pultar has vast experience in clinical development within both large and early-stage pharmaceutical companies. Engaging Dr. Pultar aligns with Aprea’s commitment to provide its WEE1 inhibitor program with all the necessary resources, including the best available professional talent and expertise, to succeed. Dr. Pultar was most recently employed at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals where he played a key role in the strategy and execution of the global clinical development of azenosertib, a WEE1 inhibitor.

Patient enrollment is currently ongoing in the Phase 1 ACESOT-1051 study, designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of single-agent APR-1051 in advanced solid tumors harboring certain cancer-associated gene alterations. Aprea intends to provide an update on the progress of this clinical study by year end 2024. The WEE1 program is part of Aprea’s portfolio of DDR-targeted therapeutics aimed to deliver precision medicine solutions that ensure the right patients receive the most effective Aprea treatment, with the goals of improving outcomes and reducing treatment resistance.

“WEE1 inhibition is a promising therapeutic approach in oncology and my prior experience has given me a thorough understanding of biomarker driven clinical studies, the development and regulatory landscape as well as the likely attributes for a successful therapeutic,” said Dr. Pultar. “Aprea has a great opportunity to be a leader in this space. I am quite impressed by the progress the team has made advancing APR-1051, which has a differentiated profile, and is supported by compelling pre-clinical data. I am very excited to be associated with this program and I believe APR-1051 has the potential to be best in class. I look forward to working with the talented scientists at Aprea with the goals of advancing its WEE1 program and bringing new treatments to patients battling difficult-to-treat cancers.”

“Dr. Pultar is a highly capable scientific leader with a track record of successfully leading programs through late-stage development and regulatory approval,” said Oren Gilad, Ph.D., President and CEO of Aprea. “Given the recent initiation of our Phase 1 ACESOT-1051 clinical trial evaluating our promising WEE1 inhibitor, APR-1051, we are excited to bring on a high caliber advisor such as Dr. Pultar. Dr. Pultar’s prior experience in managing multiple clinical trials for a WEE1 inhibitor is particularly relevant and we hope to leverage his expertise as we advance our own program and maximize the therapeutic potential of APR-1051. His addition to the team is part of our broader strategy to bring in exceptional talent with the experience and skills to successfully advance our programs.”

Dr. Nadeem Mirza will be stepping down as Chief Medical Officer effective as of October 9, 2024, to pursue other professional endeavors but will remain with the Company through a date not later than December 13, 2024, to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

About Philippe Pultar, MD

Dr. Pultar brings over 17 years of extensive experience in early and late-stage clinical development. From 2020 to 2023 he was Vice President, Clinical Development at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals where he was responsible for the strategy and execution of the global clinical development of azenosertib, working closely with co-development partners GSK, Pfizer, and Zentera for China. He initiated seven Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials with azenosertib as single agent and in combination with chemotherapy and targeted agents across multiple indications. Prior to Zentalis, he spent seven years at Novartis Oncology (2013 to 2020), including as Senior Clinical Development Medical Director. He was appointed Medical Lead in rare diseases and was assigned to New Drug Application (NDA) activities for Isturisa? (osilodrostat). He led the writing and review of key EU and US NDA documents for Isturisa?, resulting in its approval with broad indication in Cushing’s syndrome with limited post-approval commitments. He was also Medical Lead for Phase 2, 3 and 4 trials on Isturisa?, Signifor? (pasireotide) and Odomzo? (sonidegib). Prior to Novartis he was employed in senior clinical development roles at Agennix AG (2011 to 2013) and ImClone Systems (2007 to 2011). Earlier in his career, he held positions at GPC Biotech, ALTANA Pharma, REDEON and MEDICERCLE.

Dr. Pultar earned his medical thesis from Université de Médecine de Poitiers, France and practiced as a physician for several years. His foundational education includes Medical Studies and Residency at Université de Médecine de Poitiers, providing him with a solid academic background to complement his extensive practical experience in clinical development.

Forward-Looking Statement
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About Aprea
Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, focused on precision oncology through synthetic lethality. The Company’s lead program is ATRN-119, a clinical-stage small molecule ATR inhibitor in development for solid tumor indications. APR-1051, an oral, small-molecule WEE1 inhibitor, recently entered the clinic. For more information, please visit the company website at https://aprea.com/.

The Company may use, and intends to use, its investor relations website at https://ir.aprea.com/ as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Investor Contact:
Mike Moyer
LifeSci Advisors
[email protected]

Media Contacts:
Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D., or David Schull
Russo Partners, LLC
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