Dr. Canan Brings 28 Years of Biopharmaceutical Experience, Including Research and Development Roles at Pfizer, Celgene and BMS

Elgia Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pursuing novel approaches for the treatment of chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, today announced that Dr. Stacie Canan has joined the company as its Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Drug Discovery.
Dr. Canan previously served as Executive Director of Global Health at Bristol Myers Squibb (formerly Celgene), and was responsible for Discovery and Development activities on multiple international global health programs for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). At Celgene, Stacie also served as Executive Director of Chemistry (2007-2012), responsible for chemistry strategy and implementation across the portfolio, including clinical candidate nominations. Stacie has 28 years of experience in the biopharma and pharmaceutical industry, including scientific and leaderships roles at Ligand, Agouron, and Pfizer, with broad expertise that includes project leadership, diverse therapeutic area experience (inflammation/fibrosis, oncology, HIV, HCV, sexual health, ophthalmology and neglected diseases), and success with fragment, structural, phenotypic and property based drug discovery approaches. During her tenure at Agouron, as a member of the discovery team, Stacie co-invented rucaparib (Rubraca®), which is an oral small molecule inhibitor of PARP-1, -2, -3 for treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube, primary peritoneal and mCRP cancers with BRCA mutations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Stacie to our management team,” said Dr. Alan Saltiel, Co-Founder and CEO of Elgia Therapeutics. “Her expertise in drug discovery and deep experience in both the biotech and pharmaceutical industry will be immediately impactful to Elgia’s goal of advancing first-in-class anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotics into the clinic.”
Dr. Canan received her BS from Pennsylvania State University, MS from University of Illinois and PhD from University of California, Irvine.

About Elgia Therapeutics
Elgia Therapeutics is a newly established venture-backed biotech company pursuing novel approaches for the treatment of chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Elgia was founded by UCSD and UCSF scientists Alan Saltiel, Ariel Feldstein, Michael Karin, Michelle Arkin, and Adam Renslo, who are world leaders in the biology of innate immunity, inflammation and wound healing, as well as in the biochemistry and pharmacology of key enzymes that control inflammation and cell demise. Leveraging the expertise of our founders, Elgia will use high throughput chemical screening coupled with structure-based design to discover and develop novel inhibitors of these targets. Visit Elgiatherapeutics.com for more information.

About Viva BioInnovator
Viva BioInnovator (VBI) is the investment division of Viva Biotech Holdings (1873.HK). We are solely dedicated to the identification and success of early-stage biotech start-ups for Viva’s incubation, equity-for-service, and investment platforms. Our commitment is to operate a collaborative platform for innovative biotech companies from around the world, and for anyone aiming to develop an idea with transformative or strong potential. Visit vivabioinnovator.com for more information.