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Stehlin Foundation Welcomes New Colleague

Simeon Wrenn, Ph.D.

Dr. Simeon Wrenn’s 18 page resume includes an impressive education (two doctorates from Emory University); rigorous training at Harvard Medical school; academic appointments at prestigious universities including Baylor College of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University; and experience with private laboratories specializing in drug development and commercialization. From 1997-2004, he was Vice President of Biotechnology and Preclinical research at SuperGen, Inc., where he directed preclinical research, conducted studies, and worked with federal agencies on the development and manufacture of new drugs. He will draw on all his academic,
research and industry experience in his current position as a pharmacologist at the
Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research, a position he assumed in late March. When asked why it was a good fit, Dr. Wrenn responded, “I am a scientist by training, experienced in medical research. In addition, my business development background will be helpful as the Foundation proceeds with the drug commercialization process.”

The Camptothecin Challenge
Dr. Wrenn and the Stehlin Foundation got acquainted during the clinical trials for Orathecin, one of the camptothecin anti-cancer drugs developed by the Foundation.
“I very much liked the people at the Foundation,” commented Dr. Wrenn, “and I believe that this drug has enormous therapeutic potential. It seemed to me that the
infrastructure was in place to make great strides forward.” Dr. Wrenn is clearly excited about the possibilities of both CZ48 and 9-Nitro – “All we have to do now is prove their potential.” He also believes there are other technologies and innovations that could increase the effectiveness and applications of camptothecin drugs. “I’m here to help continue the development of existing candidates,” he remarked, “but I also have a few ideas of my own.”


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