Athira Pharma Announces Formation of Scientific Advisory Board Comprised of Renowned Leaders in Neurology Research

BOTHELL, Wash., June 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athira Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHA), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecules to restore neuronal health and slow neurodegeneration, today announced the formation of a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of renowned leaders in neurology and neurodegenerative disease research – Drs. John Olichney, Anton Porsteinsson, Marwan Sabbagh, Lon Schneider, Pierre Tairot and Paul Winner. The SAB, chaired by Athira Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hans Moebius, will offer expert scientific and clinical perspectives to guide the ongoing development of Athira’s pipeline of novel, small molecule compounds.

“Our advisory board includes experts with extensive experience in neurology research and clinical investigations at prestigious national institutions. Each member has hands-on, direct experience with neurodegenerative disease patients and understands the need and urgency to develop new and innovative treatments,” said Hans Moebius, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Athira Pharma. “The input from our SAB will be invaluable to Athira as we continue to advance our robust pipeline of novel, small molecule compounds for the treatment of neurological diseases.”

Athira’s SAB members are:

John Olichney, M.D., Professor of Neurology at the University of California, Davis, is an internationally recognized Alzheimer’s disease and dementia researcher with expertise in electrophysiology. He directs the Cognitive Electrophysiology and Neuroimaging Lab at the Center for Mind and Brain and the Clinical Trials Unit of the UC Davis ADRC.

Anton Porsteinsson, M.D., The William B. and Sheila Konar Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Neuroscience, and Medicine and the Director of the University of Rochester Alzheimer’s Disease Care, Research and Education Program in Rochester, N.Y., is a renowned investigator for Alzheimer’s disease prevention and treatment clinical trials.

Marwan Sabbagh, M.D., Professor of Neurology in the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona is an established investigator for Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials and is currently the editor-in-chief of Neurology and Therapy.

Lon Schneider, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Gerontology at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, and the Della Martin Chair in Psychiatry and Neuroscience.

Pierre Tariot, M.D., Director of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix, Arizona and Research Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, is an experienced clinician, researcher, and leader with a special emphasis on design and implementation of clinical trials.

Paul Winner, D.O., FAAN, Senior Director of Premiere Research Institute, Director of Palm Beach Memory Disorder Center, Clinical Professor of Neurology Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

About Athira Pharma, Inc.
Athira Pharma Inc., headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, is a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecules to restore neuronal health and slow neurodegeneration. Athira aims to provide rapid cognitive improvement and alter the course of neurological diseases with its novel mechanism of action. Athira is currently advancing its pipeline therapeutic candidates targeting the HGF/MET neurotrophic system for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies and neuropsychiatric indications. For more information, visit www.athira.com. You can also follow Athira on Facebook, LinkedIn and @athirapharma on Twitter and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical fact and include statements regarding fosgonimeton as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and other dementias, and neuropsychiatric indications; Athira’s platform technology and potential therapies; future development plans; clinical and regulatory objectives and the timing thereof; interactions with regulators and the timing thereof, including anticipated timing of IND or equivalent submissions; expectations regarding the potential efficacy and commercial potential of Athira’s product candidates; the anticipated reporting of data; and Athira’s ability to advance its product candidates into later stages of development. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “on track,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “pursue,” “continue,” and other similar expressions, among others. Any forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, preliminary data for Athira’s fosgonimeton product candidate from the Phase 1a/b trials will not continue or persist in current or planned clinical trials; cessation or delay of any of the ongoing clinical trials and/or Athira’s development of fosgonimeton and other product candidates may occur; future potential regulatory milestones of fosgonimeton and other product candidates, including those related to current and planned clinical studies may be insufficient to support regulatory submissions or approval; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Athira’s business, research and clinical development plans and timelines and results of operations, including impact on Athira’s clinical trial sites and contractors who act for or on Athira’s behalf, may be more severe and more prolonged than currently anticipated; the regulatory process for Athira product candidates; the outcome of legal proceedings that have been or may in the future be instituted against us and certain of our directors and officers; clinical trials may not demonstrate safety and efficacy of any of Athira’s product candidates; Athira’s assumptions regarding the sufficiency of its cash, cash equivalents and investments to fund its planned operations may be incorrect; Athira’s research and development efforts and its ability to advance product candidates into later stages of development may fail; any one or more of Athira’s product candidates may not be successfully developed, approved or commercialized; adverse conditions in the general domestic and global economic markets; the impact of competition; while P300 latency is a functional measure that is highly correlated with cognition, Athira may not successfully establish a connection between these P300 latency results and improved cognition; regulatory agencies may be delayed in reviewing, commenting on or approving any of Athira’s clinical development plans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could further delay development timelines; the impact of expanded product development and clinical activities on operating expenses; the impact of new or changing laws and regulations; as well as the other risks detailed in Athira’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and Athira undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. Athira may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.

Investor & Media Contact:

Julie Rathbun
Athira Pharma
Julie.rathbun@athira.com 
206-769-9219