On August 21, 2020 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering novel cancer therapies, reported that congratulates its founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer, Sharon Shacham, PhD, MBA, for being selected as a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 New England Awards Program (Press release, Karyopharm, AUG 21, 2020, View Source [SID1234563931]). For more than 30 years, this award has served as one of the world’s most prestigious business awards recognizing entrepreneurs who have disrupted industries, created new product categories and successfully brought innovations that have transformed our world. Dr. Shacham was recognized for her scientific research that led to the development and FDA approval of XPOVIO (selinexor), as well as for leading Karyopharm from its inception to what is now a global pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel medicines for patients with cancer and other major diseases.
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"Not only is Dr. Shacham a renowned expert in the biologic mechanisms of cancer and a pioneer in advancing important medical innovations, but she is a true business leader who inspires those around her to achieve extraordinary results," said Michael G. Kauffman, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Karyopharm. "Under her scientific leadership, we have built a robust research and development organization since our founding in 2008 and have the only nuclear export inhibitor approved in the U.S. This award recognizes the importance of her entrepreneurial spirit and the vital role her leadership and persistence have played in bringing new treatment options to patients battling cancer and other serious diseases."
Dr. Shacham stated, "It’s an honor to be named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award and I am thrilled to be recognized among the 2020 class of visionary finalists in New England. As we all face unprecedented challenges in our current environment, I think we need entrepreneurs now, more than ever, to help encourage others and solve society’s problems often thought to be insurmountable. I sincerely hope the work we are doing at Karyopharm will not only enable improved clinical outcomes for patients but that we can continue to inspire those around us to set and achieve aspirational goals that will benefit as many people as possible."
The Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. For more information please visit View Source
About Sharon Shacham, PhD, MBA
Dr. Shacham founded Karyopharm in 2008 and has served as our Chief Scientific Officer and President of Research and Development since December 2012. From 2010 to 2012, Dr. Shacham served as our Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Research and Development, and prior to that, as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Shacham has led our scientific progress since inception.
Prior to joining Karyopharm, Dr. Shacham served as Senior Vice President of Drug Development at Epix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Director, Algorithm and Software Development at Predix Pharmaceuticals Inc., which merged into Epix Pharmaceuticals in 2006, and where she led the company’s efforts in GPCR modeling, computational chemistry, lead optimization and development of clinical trials.
Dr. Shacham holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, along with a Doctor of Philosophy in Biophysical Chemistry and a Master of Business of Administration from Tel Aviv University.
About XPOVIO (selinexor)
XPOVIO is a first-in-class, oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compound. XPOVIO functions by selectively binding to and inhibiting the nuclear export protein exportin 1 (XPO1, also called CRM1). XPOVIO blocks the nuclear export of tumor suppressor, growth regulatory and anti-inflammatory proteins, leading to accumulation of these proteins in the nucleus and enhancing their anti-cancer activity in the cell. The forced nuclear retention of these proteins can counteract a multitude of the oncogenic pathways that, unchecked, allow cancer cells with severe DNA damage to continue to grow and divide in an unrestrained fashion. Karyopharm received accelerated U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of XPOVIO in July 2019 in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Karyopharm has also submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) with a request for conditional approval of selinexor in this same RRMM indication. Karyopharm’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) requesting an expansion of its current indication to include the treatment for patients with multiple myeloma after at least one prior line of therapy has been accepted for filing by the FDA. In June 2020, Karyopharm received accelerated FDA approval of XPOVIO for its second indication in adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy. Selinexor is also being evaluated in several other mid-and later-phase clinical trials across multiple cancer indications, including as a potential backbone therapy in combination with approved myeloma therapies (STOMP), in liposarcoma (SEAL) and in endometrial cancer (SIENDO), among others. Additional Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies are ongoing or currently planned, including multiple studies in combination with approved therapies in a variety of tumor types to further inform Karyopharm’s clinical development priorities for selinexor. Additional clinical trial information for selinexor is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.