December 6, 2011 Program

Guest speaker: George Damis Yancopoulos M.D., Ph.D.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Yancopoulos graduated as valedictorian of both the Bronx High School of Science and Columbia College, and earned his advanced degrees at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Following widely-recognized work in the field of molecular immunology at Columbia with Dr. Fred Alt, Dr. Yancopoulos left academia in 1989 as founding scientist for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, where he continues to serve as President of the Laboratories and Chief Scientific Officer. He is also adjunct full professor at Columbia University and was awarded Columbia’s Stevens Triennial prize for Research and the University Medal of Excellence for Distinguished Achievement. Dr. Yancopoulos is widely regarded as a world leader in several fields of biology and has authored more than 350 scientific manuscripts. According to a study by the Institute for Scientific Information, Dr. Yancopoulos was the eleventh most highly cited scientist in the world during the 1990’s. In 2004, he was elected to both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Sciences. Dr. Yancopoulos’ scientific efforts have focused on the discovery of growth factors (such as the neurotrophins, ephrins and angiopoietins), their receptors, and their signaling pathways, as well as on developing new platforms for target and drug discovery such as Trap Technology, VelociGene and VelocImmune. His research has led to unifying models of molecular and biologic function, as well as new approaches to treating disease. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have progressed numerous drug candidates to human trials, including the IL1-Trap which has recently been approved for treatment of an orphan inflammatory disease, the VEGF Trap for cancer and blinding eye diseases, and several fully human monoclonal antibodies for various indications, derived using VelocImmune technology.

Presenting Companies:

Cytosorbents Inc. – Phillip Chan, Chief Executive Officer & President is returning to NYC MedTech for un update.

CytoSorbents Inc. 
 is a medical device company that has developed a new adsorbent platform technology for removal of toxins from blood and physiologic fluids. CytoSorbent’s products are comprised of porous, adsorbent polymer beads that target molecules up to 50,000 Daltons, such as pro-inflammatory and anti- inflammatory cytokines i.e. IL-1, IL-6, TNF and Il-10, which are associated with sepsis. These cytokines are believed to be largely untouched by current blood purification techniques, including state of the art dialysis technology. Our near term focus is achieving regulatory approval of CytoSorb™ which is expected to be used for the treatment of sepsis, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, organ donation and drug overdoses, all of which have a common theme, blood borne toxins.

Pillip Chan, M.D./Ph.D. is the CEO and President of CytoSorbents Corporation. Prior to CytoSorbents, Dr. Chan led healthcare and life science investments as Partner for NJTC Venture Fund and co-founded Andrew Technologies, a venture-backed medical device company that is now commercializing its FDA approved HydroSolve advanced lipoplasty device. Dr. Chan is a Board-certified internal medicine physician, having completed his residency at Harvard Medical School at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and having received his MD/PhD from Yale University School of Medicine. 


Egenix – Jedd Levine, Chief Medical Officer

Egenix is a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative cancer therapeutics and a diagnostic for prostate cancer. The company’s therapeutic platform technology consists of small molecule drugs applicable for the treatment and prevention of a broad spectrum of cancers. Our lead drug candidates inhibit the protein “translation initiation factors”eIF4E and eIF2α, specifically blocking production of multiple cancer promoting proteins and promoting apoptosis (programmed cell death) and upregulation of tumor suppressor genes.

Jedd Levine is currently the Chief Medical Officer of Egenix, Inc. Dr. Levine has extensive clinical experience in oncology and has served as managing partner of Connecticut Oncology and Hematology, LLP. He is a former research fellow and faculty, Division of Oncology, Stanford University. Dr. Levine has earned a BS degree from Yale University, MD from Harvard Medical School, and MBA from Columbia Business School.

Interleukin Genetics – Lewis Bender, Chief Executive Officer

Interleuking Genetics Inc. Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (OTCQB: ILIU) conducts research, possesses intellectual property and has expertise in genetic panel development for conditions involving metabolism and inflammation. The Company is focused on creating products to facilitate the emerging personalized healthcare market. The Company markets a line of genetic tests for wellness under the Inherent Health® brand and it sells its proprietary PST® genetic risk panel for periodontal disease and tooth loss susceptibility via dental offices. Interleukin Genetics’ products empower individuals to prevent certain chronic conditions and to manage their existing health and wellness through DNA-based insights with actionable guidance. The Company’s leading product is the Inherent Health Weight Management Genetic Test that identifies the most effective diet and exercise program for an individual based on genetics. Interleukin Genetics is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. and operates an on-site, state-of-the-art DNA testing laboratory certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).

Lewis H. Bender is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Interleukin Genetics Inc., a molecular diagnostic development company with commercialized products. Mr. Bender was appointed CEO of Interleukin in January of 2008. Prior to joining Interleukin Genetics, Mr. Bender was the Chief Technology Officer and CEO of Emisphere Technologies Inc, a drug developer and drug delivery company. During his career, Mr. Bender has supervised drug development programs, executed several business agreements including, technology in-licensing, international joint ventures, stock sales and out-licensing partnerships with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Mr. Bender has earned both a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Science degree in chemical engineering from MIT. In addition, Mr. Bender also has earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a Masters of Fine Arts in International Relations also from UPENN. He is fluent in French and German.