Drug discovery and development firm Viamet Pharmaceuticals has named a new top financial executive as the company readies two clinical stage compounds for potential drug partners.
Dr. Richard Katz was appointed to the newly created position of chief business and financial officer. His responsibilities will include overseeing commercial and financial operations for the Durham, North Carolina company.
Viamet’s drug candidates are based on the company’s proprietary technology that can identify enzymes containing metal. This “metallophile technology” allows Viamet to identify targets with therapeutic potential. Two compounds discovered by this technology are in early stage clinical trials. VT-1161 is in phase 1 clinical studies for the treatment of a range of fungal infections including onychomycosis. VT-464, another early stage candidate, is being developed as a treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Viamet also has a pipeline of potential therapeutic candidates, including preclinical compounds being studied as potential treatments for cryptococcal meningitis and invasive mold infections.
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Katz brings to Viamet more than 15 years of pharmaceutical and life science investment banking experience. He most recently served as CFO of Icagen, a Durham drug development company that was acquired by Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) last year. Katz has also worked as an executive in Goldman Sachs & Co.’s investment banking division. Katz holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a medical degree from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard.
