Syndax Appoints AstraZeneca's Briggs Robinson as CEO

Syndax Pharmaceuticals has announced that Briggs W. Morrison, is joining the company as CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, and that Michael A. Metzger is joining the company as President and Chief Operating Officer. Dr Morrison joins Syndax from AstraZeneca, where he was Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer. Mr Metzger joins from Regado Biosciences, where he served as President and CEO through the company’s strategic merger with Tobira Therapeutics.

“Syndax is at a major inflection point in its evolution, leveraging recent scientific insights into its lead therapeutic candidate entinostat in the emerging field of immuno-oncology. We are thrilled to have Briggs and Michael assume these critical executive roles,” said Dennis G. Podlesak, Chairman of the Syndax Board of Directors and Partner at Domain Associates. “Briggs is a preeminent drug developer with an impressive track record of bringing cutting-edge medicines to patients and provides Syndax with the depth and vision to deliver on the promising data with entinostat. Michael comes to Syndax as an accomplished leader and builder of biotechnology companies and has a proven track record of success in creating value through business
development and strategic financial transactions. Together they create an extraordinarily strong and complementary team capable of leading Syndax to the next level of success.” 

“Syndax is at the forefront of an exciting phase in the clinical and scientific validation of its epigenetic approach to unlocking the full potential of immuno-oncology therapies. With a breakthrough designation in advanced breast cancer and emerging preclinical and clinical data as an epigenetic immunomodulator, I believe entinostat could become a cornerstone combination therapy for a broad range of cancers,” said Dr Morrison. 

“In 2015, we expect to build on the momentum generated from Syndax’s recent collaborations with Merck and Kyowa Hakko Kirin, with additional partnerships and multiple, near-term clinical milestones. Michael and I look forward to working with the executive team at Syndax to help realize entinostat’s and the company’s full potential,” Dr Morrison continued.