Benjamin Hughes

April 9, 2024 - 12:56 pm

enGene Strengthens Executive Leadership with Appointment of Dr. Raj Pruthi for Urologic Oncology

BOSTON and MONTREAL, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – enGene Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ENGN), a prominent clinical-stage genetic medicines company, has announced today an exciting new addition to their team with the appointment of Dr. Raj Pruthi as Senior Vice President of Urologic Oncology and Clinical Development. This influential role falls directly under the direction of Dr. Richard Bryce, enGene's Chief Medical Officer. In his new capacity, Dr. Pruthi will dedicate his expertise to the clinical progress of enGene's leading product candidate, EG-70, targeting urologic diseases and fostering strong connections with key figures in the urological community. Previously holding a pivotal position at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Dr. Pruthi's most recent roles included Global Medical Affairs Leader for Bladder Cancer and Senior Medical Director for Oncology, focusing globally on prostate and bladder cancer.

Jason Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of enGene, expressed his excitement over Dr. Pruthi joining the team, commending him for his more than 25 years of extensive experience in the field of urology. "Dr. Pruthi brings a commendable history of professional leadership and active community involvement, evident from his contributions to the American Urological Association's guidelines in managing non-muscle invasive bladder cancer," said Hanson. The company anticipates that Dr. Pruthi's comprehensive knowledge and experience will significantly benefit their ongoing LEGEND study of EG-70 for patients with BCG-unresponsive and BCG-naïve NMIBC and potentially widen the therapeutic applications of EG-70 into additional urologic indications.

Dr. Pruthi conveyed his enthusiasm for this critical juncture in his career. "The promising safety and efficacy data of EG-70 in combating BCG-unresponsive NMIBC to date suggest that this innovative candidate has considerable potential to become a widely adopted treatment. EG-70's user-friendly characteristics that alleviate the typical burdens of storage and handling associated with viral methods are particularly advantageous for widespread use across various healthcare settings," conveyed Dr. Pruthi. He is eager to collaborate and contribute to the progression of the pivotal LEGEND study and enGene's broader mission to develop new treatments that could significantly aid patients in need.

Dr. Pruthi is also a distinguished figure outside enGene, holding multiple notable positions in the urological field. He is the esteemed Chair of the Advisory Council for Urology of the American College of Surgeons and occupies a seat on its Board of Governors. Dr. Pruthi remains actively involved in academia as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Urology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University/Northwell, following his tenure as Professor and Chair at both the UCSF Department of Urology and the Department of Urology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

In addition, his significant contributions have seen him as part of the American Board of Urology (ABU)/American Urological Association (AUA) Examination Committee and as Past-President for the Society of Academic Urology. His involvement extends to pivotal guideline committees, aiding in the development of the AUA Guidelines on the Management of Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer and participating in the Bladder Cancer Guidelines Committee of the International Consultation on Urological Diseases.

Dr. Pruthi's impressive academic background includes graduating from Duke University School of Medicine, followed by his residency and post-graduate training in Urologic Surgery at Stanford University. He also holds a Master's in Health Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His rich educational and professional journey showcases his commitment and impact on the field of urology.

About enGene

The biotechnology firm enGene is revolutionizing the genetic medicine landscape by developing treatments targeting mucosal tissues and other organs, with a spotlight on their flagship program EG-70. This lead program is groundbreaking, as it is undergoing a pivotal study for NMIBC patients who are either unresponsive or naïve to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment. The unique innovation of EG-70 stems from enGene's proprietary Dually Derivatized Oligochitosan (DDX) platform, which facilitates mucosal penetration for delivering diverse genetic materials, including DNA and RNA forms. Completing a significant business milestone, enGene transitioned into a publicly traded entity on November 1, 2023, following a merger with Forbion European Acquisition Corporation. For further insight into enGene and its pioneering work in genetic medicines, visit enGene.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain content mentioned in this press release may encompass statements with a forward-looking perspective according to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and deemed "forward-looking information" by Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements of enGene include but are not limited to the company's intentions, projected strategies, and optimistic forecasts. Terms like "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," and "plan" are indicative of forward-looking statements, although these expressions aren't solely indicative of such.

Forward-looking statements include assertions about enGene's belief in the potential advantages of EG-70 and its widespread adoption prospects. However, these are subject to a multitude of potentially fluctuating factors, risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. enGene's practical results in performance and achievements could deviate significantly from the ideals expressed in the forward-looking statements. The company's capacity to attract and maintain skilled scientific and management teams, establish clinical trial locations, recruit trial participants, implement clinical development strategies, and obtain necessary regulatory approvals within projected timeframes are all critical elements susceptible to change.

The risks and uncertainties that enGene faces are meticulously chronicled in filings with both Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR. These files include detailed "Risk Factors" sections, as exemplified in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year that concluded on October 31, 2023. The information found in these documents is readily accessible at www.sedarplus.ca or www.sec.gov.

The company emphasizes that stakeholders should not over-rely on the forward-looking statements, as these are based on information available only as of their respective dates. enGene's evaluations are likely to evolve following subsequent developments. While the company may opt to update these forward-looking statements, it has expressly stated that it has no current obligation to do so, outside of legal requirements. This press release should not be regarded as an accurate forecast of future events or a guarantee that the anticipated outcomes of the forward-looking statements will be realized.

SOURCE enGene Inc.