CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With their award-winning programs targeting the role of persistent stress granules, Aquinnah believes that they are on the cusp of a breakthrough in ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.  Their goal is to arrest and hopefully even reverse these devastating diseases.

To help them achieve this ambitious goal, Aquinnah has added two new members to the team:  Bob Carpenter, a pioneer in the biotechnology and healthcare industries, will join Aquinnah's Board of Directors, and Duane Burnett, an award-winning chemist, who will lead chemistry R&D for Aquinnah's portfolio as Vice President of Medicinal Chemistry.

Bob Carpenter founded a number of successful biotech companies that he took public, including Integrated Genetics and GelTex Pharmaceuticals, both of which were acquired by Genzyme (now Sanofi Genzyme). Mr. Carpenter served on the Board of Genzyme from 1994 to 2011, most recently as Lead Director.  

He also founded Boston Medical Investors in 1994 and currently serves as a Director of Good Start Genetics, Olaris Therapeutics, Immuneering Inc., Hydra Biosciences, and Lysosomal Therapeutics, Inc.  Mr. Carpenter is a graduate of West Point, Stanford Universityand holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. 

"Bob has dedicated his career to creating new drugs for unmet medical needs.  He is someone who understands the complexities of drug discovery and development and he will play an invaluable role in our continued success," said Dr. Glenn Larsen, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Duane Burnett, Ph.D., is a medicinal chemistry leader with nearly 30 years of experience at leading pharmaceutical companies including Schering Plough, Merck and Forum. His impressive list of awards includes: National Inventor of the Year, American Chemical Society Hero of Chemistry Award, Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award, and Prix Galien USA – Best Medical Agent Finalist.

In addition, he has 60 published papers and 108 granted or published patents and applications.  Dr. Burnett is best known as the inventor of the cholesterol absorption inhibitor, ezetimibe, used in two highly successful, multi-billion dollar drugs.

"Duane Burnett brings a great deal a scientific experience and insight to Aquinnah.  We are very happy to have Duane join our team," said Dr. Ben Wolozin, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Aquinnah.

Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals is committed to restoring the health of people with ALS, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.  They have developed a revolutionary approach that has the potential to arrest, and possibly even reverse, these diseases. Aquinnah was chosen as the Most Innovative Neurodegenerative Research Company in 2016 by New Economy Magazine.

To learn more, please visit us at:  aquinnahpharma.com 

Contact:
Glenn Larsen
President and CEO
Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals
Glarsen@aquinnahpharma.com
617-863-3678