Onconova Therapeutics Announces The Appointment Of Mark Gelder, M.D., As Chief Medical Officer

On June 1, 2021 Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ONTX) ("Onconova"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel products for patients with cancer, reported that Mark Gelder, M.D. will be joining Onconova as Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective as of June 14, 2021 (Press release, Onconova, JUN 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234583327]).

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"Mark’s extensive experience leading clinical oncology programs at all stages of development makes him an ideal fit for Onconova. He will add great depth to our management team," said Steven M. Fruchtman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Onconova. "His wide ranging medical and scientific expertise, which notably covers the development of kinase inhibitors as cancer therapeutics, will be invaluable as we work to advance ON 123300’s clinical development, facilitate the progression of rigosertib’s investigator-initiated trials, and evaluate potential candidates for in-licensing. I am thrilled that Mark will be joining Onconova and eager to begin working together."

Dr. Gelder is an accomplished industry leader with more than 35 years of experience in clinical development, medical affairs, and medical marketing. He was most recently the CMO of Elevar Therapeutics, where he led the company’s clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and preclinical teams. Prior to his time at Elevar, Dr. Gelder served as the CMO of Pierian Biosciences (formerly DiaTech Oncology), Accelovance, Inc., and Heron Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. Gelder also has extensive experience at large pharmaceutical companies, as he previously worked in global medical affairs and led therapeutic oncology programs for Pfizer, Wyeth, and Bayer. Dr. Gelder has led successful early- and late-stage global clinical trials and has been involved in the approval and launch of several cancer therapeutics. Prior to his career in the biopharmaceutical industry, Dr. Gelder was an investigator in multiple clinical trials and authored numerous scientific papers in the areas of women’s health and oncology. He earned his M.D. from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Gelder commented, "The opportunity to serve as Onconova’s CMO is truly exciting, and I look forward to leading the continued development of the Company’s pipeline at this important time. ON 123300 is rapidly progressing through its two Phase 1 trials and the potential to bring a best-in-class novel agent to women with HR+ HER2- metastatic breast cancer and additional oncologic indications is a unique opportunity based on its mechanism of action to overcome CKD 4/6 resistance mechanisms. I am also highly impressed with rigosertib’s investigator-initiated program and am eager to apply my expertise towards the Company’s in-licensing strategy to expand its pipeline. I believe that my skill set and those of my new colleagues are highly complementary, which will serve us well as we seek to deliver new therapeutics to cancer patients in need."