Kala Pharmaceuticals Appoints Steven Zhang as Vice President of Medical Affairs

Oct 25, 2018 08:00 am
WALTHAM, Mass. -- 

Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary AMPPLIFY™ mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) Drug Delivery Technology, today announced the appointment of Steven Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., as Vice President of Medical Affairs.

“Steven brings a tremendous depth of experience leading medical activities for both clinical stage and commercial ophthalmic products. He will be a valuable asset to the Kala team as we prepare for the launch of INVELTYS™ in early 2019 and advance KPI-121 0.25% for dry eye disease,” said Kim Brazzell, Chief Medical Officer of Kala Pharmaceuticals.

“I am excited to join Kala at this stage of the company’s evolution into a commercial organization,” said Dr. Zhang. “INVELTYS and KPI-121 0.25% have the potential to be significant additions to the treatment armamentariums for post-surgical inflammation and pain and dry eye disease, respectively. I look forward to working with the team as we continue to leverage the broad potential of our AMPPLIFY technology.”

Dr. Zhang brings to Kala years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry, with many of those years spent focused in ophthalmology. Prior to joining Kala, he served as Senior Director, Global Ophthalmic Franchise Medical Lead and Head of U.S. Ophthalmic Medical Affairs at Shire where he played an important role in leading the pre-approval and launch medical activities of Xiidra® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% in the U.S. and for its global expansion. In addition, he was also the medical lead for Shire’s ophthalmic pipeline development programs. Before Shire, Dr. Zhang spent six years in the medical affairs function at Bausch + Lomb where he supported the launch of more than 15 ophthalmic products and devices. He was also the National Clinical Science Manager at Abbott Labs’ respiratory and anti-infective franchise. Previously, Dr. Zhang conducted neurobiological research as a faculty member of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Dr. Zhang holds an M.D. with residency training in neurotrauma and a Ph.D. in biophysics.

About Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kala is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics using its proprietary AMPPLIFY™ mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) Drug Delivery Technology, with an initial focus on the treatment of eye diseases. In preclinical studies, MPPs increased drug delivery into ocular tissues more than three-fold by facilitating penetration through the tear film mucus. Kala has applied the AMPPLIFY Drug Delivery Technology to a corticosteroid, loteprednol etabonate (LE), designed for ocular applications, resulting in recently approved INVELTYS™ for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery and its lead product candidate, KPI-121 0.25%, for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding INVELTYS for the treatment of inflammation and pain following ocular surgery and the Company's lead product candidate, KPI-121 0.25% for the temporary relief of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, the launch of INVELTYS in early 2019, INVELTYS and KPI-121 0.25% having the potential to be significant additions to the treatment armamentariums for post-surgical inflammation and pain and dry eye disease, respectively, and the Company continuing to leverage the broad potential of its AMPPLIFY technology. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this Press Release, including statements regarding the Company’s strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: whether the Company will be able to successfully implement its commercialization plans for INVELTYS; whether the market opportunity for INVELTYS is consistent with the Company’s expectations and market research; data from the Company’s Phase 3 clinical trials of KPI-121 0.25% will warrant the FDA accepting for filing of the NDA; whether any additional clinical trials will be initiated or required for KPI-121 0.25% prior to filing of an NDA, or at all, and whether any such NDA will be accepted for filing and/or approved; the Company’s ability to build a specialty sales force and prepare for commercial launch of INVELTYS on the timeline expected, or at all; whether the Company's cash resources will be sufficient to fund the Company's foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for the Company's expected timeline; other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of INVELTYS and the Company's product candidates, including KPI-121 0.25%; and other important factors, any of which could cause the Company's actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s views as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

For Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Investors
Michael Schaffzin, 212-362-1200
[email protected]
or
Media
Kari Watson, 781-235-3060
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