Durham-based biotech startup Scioderm, which in April disclosed $16 million in venture funding and was awarded fast-track status for its lead drug candidate, now is adding veteran executives to its board of directors.
On Monday, the privately held venture said John Crowley, chairman and chief executive officer of Amicus Therapeutics, and William Aliski, a veteran life science executive, would join the board.
“Both John and Bill will be very strong and complementary additions to Scioderm’s Board of Directors, based on their extensive experience in the rare disease and orphan drug arena,” said Dr. Robert Ryan, the company’s chief executive officer. “We look forward to their support and insights towards the realization of the company’s planned success. I also wish to thank Christos Richards of Levin & Company, an executive search firm specializing in the life sciences field, for leading the effort in securing the new board members.”
According to Scioderm, Crowley “brings a significant rare and orphan disease experience to Scioderm,” having worked to find cures for such diseases as Pompe and Fabry.
Aliski has more than 25 years of experience in the industry and also has worked closely with orphan products.
IN April, Scioderm said the Food and Drug Administration had assigned “Breakthrough Therapy” designation to its lead product known as SD-101.
According to the FDA, only 10 of 40 applications for the designation have been awarded.
The new Breakthrough Therapy designation means expedited development and review are ahead, the company says.
The company is preparing for clinical trials of an experimental drug addressing a rare genetic skin disease that has no cure or effective treatment.
Scioderm had earlier raised the new financing. Leading the round was Morgenthaler Ventures. Technology Partners also participated in the deal.
SD-101 is a topical treatment that Scioderm is developing to treat Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB. The rare genetic condition results in extremely fragile skin that blisters or tears at the slightest amount of friction. EB also affects internal organs and bodily systems.
Children who have EB have are sometimes called “butterfly children” because their skin is as fragile as the wings of a butterfly. Patients who have the most severe forms of EB experience scarring, disfigurement and disability. They usually die before the age of 30. The only treatment options are wound care, pain management and preventative bandaging.
