Dimerix, a clinical stage biotechnology company, announced the appointment of Associate Professor David Packham to the role of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and provides an update on the development plan for its lead therapeutic programme, DMX-200 for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Associate Professor Packham, who is a specialist clinician in the area of CKD, has been appointed CMO for Dimerix, a newly created role.
Through this new role, Associate Professor Packham will drive the continuing DMX-200 clinical programmes.
He will be responsible for the identification and engagement of clinical trial sites in Australia and will help to define and identify patient populations, particularly with respect to the rare disease Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a rare disease, which causes nephrotic syndrome in children and adolescents and is a leading cause of kidney failure in adults.
He will also be tasked with leading communications with international key opinion leaders.
Associate Professor Packham was one of the principal investigators on the company’s successful Phase IIa trial in CKD, which was concluded in 2017 and therefore brings a solid understanding of DMX-200 to the role. He is also current chairman of the medical advisory board for FSGS.
Associate Professor Packham, said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Dimerix’s management team. The very positive DMX-200 Phase IIa clinical trial results in CKD announced last year provide a pathway for the development of next stage clinical studies in both the FSGS and diabetic nephropathy indications to test for efficacy."
"The statistically and clinically, significant 36% fall in proteinuria (measured by the albumin creatinine ratio) in patients with diabetic nephropathy in the Phase IIa trial is obviously of great importance. Designing and conducting these trials in Australia provides considerable opportunities for synergies between the two trials and the most vigorous efficacy analysis.”
Kathy Harrison Dimerix CEO, commented: “We welcome David and look forward to benefiting from his deep expertise in the newly created role. He is a strong supporter of Dimerix as demonstrated through his diligence in reviewing the programs and active involvement with the company prior to this formal appointment.”
