Michael Meyers, M.D., Ph.D., Joins Syndax Pharmaceuticals As SVP And Chief Development Officer

Print 01 September 2015

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing entinostat as a combination therapy in multiple cancer indications, announced today the hiring of industry veteran Michael Meyers, M.D., Ph.D. to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer. Dr. Meyers, who will report to Briggs Morrison, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Syndax, will become a member of the senior management team, and be responsible for all aspects of clinical development of entinostat, Syndax's oral, small molecule that has direct effects on both cancer cells and immune regulatory cells, potentially enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.

Dr. Morrison commented on Dr. Meyers' appointment, "We are thrilled to welcome Michael to Syndax. We believe the breadth of his experience within the oncology field will prove invaluable as we continue to explore multiple indications for entinostat in combination with existing and investigational medicines, and as we evaluate additional molecules to build our portfolio. Michael's impressive network of industry relationships also fulfills a critical component of this position – collaborating with external stakeholders, including therapeutic area clinical and regulatory experts, and potential partners. I look forward to working with Michael as we endeavor to establish Syndax's leadership position in the immuno-oncology field."

Most recently, Dr. Meyers held a number of senior-level roles at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), serving as Vice President, GU Oncology, Compound and Clinical Leader, and as Vice President, Oncology Scientific Innovation in J&J's London Innovation Centre. Prior, he was Integration Leader for the Cougar Biotechnology acquisition and Vice President, Compound Development Team Leader for ZYTIGA®(abiraterone acetate), responsible for the worldwide approvals in prostate cancer indications, and Vice President, Compound Development Team for VELCADE® (bortezomib) in multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Previously, Dr. Meyers led the U.S. Oncology Medical Affairs team at Aventis Pharmaceuticals, including TAXOTERE® (docetaxel) clinical research in breast, prostate, gastric, head and neck and non-small cell lung cancers, and worked in oncology clinical development at the Schering-Plough Research Institute. Dr. Meyers served on the faculty at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, specializing in Clinical Immunology and Melanoma. He received his M.D. and his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr. Meyers completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and his fellowship, where he served as Chief Fellow in Medical Oncology, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

"With exciting opportunities to focus on multiple, new combination immuno-oncology therapies, it's an exceptional time to join Syndax," said Dr. Meyers. "In addition to the ongoing Phase 3 clinical development program evaluating entinostat in advanced HR+ breast cancer, I am excited to lead our Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma and triple-negative breast cancer. I am pleased to work with such a talented leadership team and collaborators in exploring combinations and clinical indications for entinostat across a wide range of difficult-to-treat cancers."

About Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

Syndax is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing entinostat as a combination therapy in multiple cancer indications with an initial focus on tumors that have shown sensitivity to immunotherapy, including lung cancer, melanoma and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Entinostat is an oral, small molecule drug candidate that has direct effects on both cancer cells and immune regulatory cells, potentially enhancing the body's immune response to tumors. Entinostat is being evaluated as a combination therapeutic in Phase 1b/2 clinical trials with Merck & Co., Inc. for non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma and with Genentech, Inc. for TNBC, as well as a Phase 3 clinical trial with ECOG-ACRIN for advanced HR+ breast cancer. For more information on Syndax please visit www.syndax.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements from Syndax

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the potential to extend the collaboration into new indications and Syndax's expectations regarding the development of its immuno-oncology program. Words such as "may," "believe," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of unknown risks, assumptions, uncertainties and factors that are beyond Syndax's control. All forward-looking statements are based on Syndax's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Syndax expressly disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statement contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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