NeOnc Technologies Holdings, Inc., a multi-Phase 2 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering therapies for central nervous system (CNS) cancers, has significantly strengthened its scientific advisory board with the appointments of two internationally renowned neuro-oncologists from Duke University. The company announced the additions of Dr. David M. Ashley and Dr. Henry S. Friedman, both leaders at The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University.
Strategic Leadership Appointments
Dr. David M. Ashley serves as the Rory David Deutsch Distinguished Professor of Neuro-Oncology and Director of The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, positions he has held since 2018. He oversees one of North America's largest dedicated brain tumor centers, integrating clinical care, translational research, and education. His scholarship spans CNS tumor biology, immuno-oncology, and clinical trials, and he has served as principal investigator on national and international studies that inform current practice.
Dr. Henry S. Friedman is a senior neuro-oncologist at Duke and longtime leader at The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, where he serves as deputy director and holds the James B. Powell, Jr. Distinguished Professorship in the School of Medicine. He is an internationally renowned authority in neuro-oncology, with a publication record exceeding 500 peer-reviewed works and decades of national and international presentations. His work has spanned clinical trials and translational research across high-grade glioma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma.
Company Leadership Perspective
Amir F. Heshmatpour, Executive Chairman and President of NeOnc Technologies, emphasized the significance of these appointments. "We are privileged to have Dr. David M. Ashley MBBS (Hons), FRACP, PhD, of Duke University on NeOnc's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Ashley is one of the world's foremost leaders in neuro-oncology, with groundbreaking work in brain tumor immunology and epigenetics and decades of experience across both pediatric and adult brain cancers," Heshmatpour stated.
Regarding Dr. Friedman's appointment, Heshmatpour added, "We are incredibly honored to welcome Dr. Henry Friedman, a true luminary in the field of neuro-oncology, to our scientific advisory board. His profound experience in developing novel therapies for CNS cancers and his distinguished career at Duke's Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center will be invaluable as we advance our pipeline, including our lead candidates NEO100™ and NEO212™."
Clinical Development Pipeline
NeOnc's NEO™ drug development platform has produced a portfolio of novel drug candidates and delivery methods with patent protections extending to 2038. The company's proprietary chemotherapy agents have demonstrated positive effects in laboratory tests on various types of cancers and in clinical trials treating malignant gliomas.
Both NEO100™ and NEO212™ therapeutics are currently in Phase II human clinical trials and are advancing under FDA Fast-Track and Investigational New Drug (IND) status. The company has exclusively licensed an extensive worldwide patent portfolio from the University of Southern California consisting of issued patents and pending applications related to NEO100, NEO212, and other products from the NeOnc patent family for multiple uses, including oncological and neurological conditions.
Upcoming Data Release
The appointments come at a strategic time as NeOnc prepares to publish upcoming data from its NEO100 and NEO212 clinical programs. Heshmatpour noted, "As NeOnc prepares to publish upcoming data from our NEO100 and NEO212 clinical programs, we look forward to our key opinion leaders carefully reviewing and validating these results. We believe their independent expertise will not only strengthen the confidence of our stakeholders but will also mark a turning point—one of destiny—for patients and families battling glioblastoma and other brain cancers."
Blood-Brain Barrier Focus
NeOnc Technologies Holdings, Inc. is focused on the development and commercialization of central nervous system therapeutics that are designed to address the persistent challenges in overcoming the blood-brain barrier. This focus addresses one of the most significant obstacles in treating CNS cancers, where traditional therapies often fail to reach therapeutic concentrations in brain tissue.
The strategic expansion of NeOnc's scientific advisory board with distinguished key opinion leaders from across the United States reflects the company's commitment to advancing innovative treatments for patients and families battling brain cancer, with both appointees exemplifying world-class expertise in the field of neuro-oncology.
