AmMax Bio Announces the Appointment of Biotechnology Executive, John Varian, as Independent Board Member

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmMax Bio, Inc. (“AmMax”), a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments with its proprietary dual anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrotic therapeutic platform targeting the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), today announced that John Varian has been appointed as an Independent Board Member.

“We are very happy to welcome John Varian to our Board at a time when AmMax is advancing its two lead programs into the clinic,” said Larry Hsu, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of AmMax Bio. “John’s significant experience in managing the financial and operational complexities of both development and commercial-stage biopharmaceutical companies will provide AmMax with significant guidance and perspective as we pursue our strategic objectives.”

Mr. Varian brings a wealth of industry experience to the Board of AmMax, having held leadership positions in business development, alliance management, capital fund-raising, and new product launches. John has served as the CEO and director of XOMA, an antibody business, where he led the financial restructuring of the company. Prior to joining XOMA, he served as the COO of Aryx Pharmaceuticals and helped lead the company through its initial public offering. He has also served as CFO of Anergen, Genset SA and Neurex Corp, and as Senior Vice President of Finance with Elan Corporation.

Mr. Varian currently serves on the board of directors for Sellas Life Sciences (Nasdaq: SLS) and is Chairman of the Audit Committee. He has previously served on the boards of XOMA Corporation (Nasdaq: XOMA), Versartis Corporation (Nasdaq: VSAR), and Egalet Corporation. He received his B.B.A. from Western Michigan University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

About AmMax Bio, Inc.

AmMax was founded in March 2020 to develop therapies under an exclusive worldwide license from Amgen, Inc. that leverage the diverse and critical roles played by the CSF1 signaling pathway for macrophage regulation throughout the body. Based on a potent monoclonal antibody named AMB-05X, the company is using this proprietary platform to build a portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class therapies that address diseases with significant unmet medical needs and substantial commercial potential. AmMax’s robust drug development pipeline includes Phase 2 clinical programs for tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), in addition to earlier stage programs for polycystic kidney diseases and certain ocular disorders.

For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.AmMaxBio.com.

About AMB-05X

A potent monoclonal anti-CSF1R antibody, AMB-05X is a therapeutic platform targeting macrophage-driven diseases with significant unmet medical needs and substantial commercial potential. The CSF1R, via its binding to two regulatory cytokines, CSF1 and IL-34, is critically involved in the regulation of macrophages and related cells in multiple biological processes across multiple organ systems, making it an attractive target with broad therapeutic applications. Overactivation of the CSF1/IL-34 – CSF1R axis substantially contributes to the inflammation and fibrosis inherent in many diseases. Thus, the potent inhibition of CSF1R activity by AMB-05X represents a novel and powerful means of therapeutic intervention via its dual action.

AmMax Bio, Inc.
Andrew Sauter, CFO
Email: andrewsauter@ammaxbio.com
Tel: 650-787-3777