Veteran pharmaceutical executive David Brand retired from a 30-year career with GlaxoSmithKline a few years ago, but his grandchildren might tell a different story, he admits. He took over Philadelphia-based startup Cardiokine in 2004 before joining the board of InteKrin Therapeutics in 2007. Now Brand is at the helm of another promising venture, Tarsa Therapeutics, and he has built a team that indicates he might not be ready to play the part of full-time grandfather just yet.
I always enjoy working on products that really do make a difference, so when I see a good opportunity for something that can help patients, its hard to pass up, says Brand.
Tarsa, which is developing an oral formulation of calcitonin to treat osteoporosis, announced the hiring of David Krause as chief medical officer and Thomas Wicks as vice president of global regulatory affairs. They bring a combined 45 years of industry experience.
In October, Tarsa licensed calcitonin from Unigene Laboratories of Boonton, N.J., which received a 25 percent ownership stake in the company. Also around that time, Tarsa landed $24 million in venture funding from firms from across the globe, including Philly-based Quaker BioVentures.
While there are a number of therapies available for osteoporosis, the once-a-day oral treatment Tarsa is developing would make things easier on patients and possibly allow more women who suffer from osteoporosis to seek treatment. The drugs safety is well-established and it is currently in Phase III global clinical trials with about 550 patients. Its expected to be completed in early 2011.
Investors have been very positive with respect to the opportunity and its interesting we have one PA investor and two from Europe, says Brand. When we look for future financing, its nice to have a broad base.
The company employs 12 people and early this year moved into a new office on JFK Boulevard. Brand expects to add office support and clinical staff later this year.
Source: David Brand, Tarsa Pharmaceuticals
Writer: Joe Petrucci
