CytoDyn names biotech entrepreneur Dr Samir Patel to its board

CytoDyn Inc (OTCQB:CYDY) has named biotech entrepreneur Dr Samir Patel to its board of directors. Dr Patel’s appointment comes as the company advances its flagship drug candidate leronlimab in a Phase 2b/3 trial for severe and critical coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.  In a statement Monday, CytoDyn noted that Dr Patel is an active entrepreneur serving as co-founder and CEO of Digital Therapeutics LLC, co-founder of SPEC Pharma LLC, a consultant for GE Global Research, and principal in PranaBio Investments LLC, which provides strategic advisory services for small-cap biotechnology companies.  READ: CytoDyn Inc’s first patient treated with flagship drug leronlimab in Phase 2b/3 trial for coronavirus Previously Dr Patel was the medical director at Centocor Inc, (now Janssen Biotech Inc), a Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) company.  In addition, he is board certified in rheumatology and was in medical practice in Austin, Texas. He has also published several papers from his clinical research studies.  “I am honored to have the opportunity to join CytoDyn’s Board at this important time. The company is in a very unique position to have such a broad array of potential clinical indications to explore with leronlimab,” Dr Patel said in the statement. “I look forward to working closely with the entire CytoDyn team to advance the company’s drug for the benefit of patients and our shareholders.” Dr Scott Kelly, board chairman, chief medical officer and head of business development at CytoDyn, noted that Dr Patel “brings a wealth of experience, which uniquely combines his medical training, inventorship, clinical research and broad business experience in the biotechnology space.” The use of leronlimab, which has other therapeutic indications as a treatment for HIV and certain breast cancers, is being administered under an emergency Investigational New Drug Application (IND) granted by the US Food and Drug Administration.  So far, the Vancouver, Washington-based company has treated more than 30 patients at four hospitals and clinics under emergency IND applications. The company has also enrolled 15 patients in its current Phase 2b trial for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients. Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham