HOUSTON, Sept. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aravive, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARAV), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing transformative therapeutics, today announced that Michael W. Rogers joined the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Rogers is a biopharmaceutical veteran and healthcare leader with more than 20 years of public company financial experience and will serve as a Chair of the Audit Committee and member on the Board’s Business Strategy Committee. 

“Mr. Rogers’ extensive management and financial experience should be invaluable as we advance Aravive’s clinical programs through development and potential commercialization,” said Gail McIntyre, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Aravive. “His expertise in managing financing strategies, M&A, out-licensing and royalty transactions at both commercial and development-stage biotechnology companies will bring a unique perspective as we continue to advance AVB-500 and pursue global business development opportunities. We are delighted to welcome him to our Board of Directors.”

Mr. Rogers most recently served as Chief Financial Officer at Aerpio Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARPO). Prior to Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, he served as CFO at Acorda Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ACOR) and held executive and leadership positions at BG Medicine, Indevus Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Endo Pharmaceuticals), Advanced Health Corporation and Autoimmune. Mr. Rogers currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Akebia Therapeutics, with previous advisory experience at Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals and Coronado Biosciences.

“I am honored to join Aravive’s Board at such an exciting time in the company’s trajectory,” said Mr. Rogers. “I’ve been fortunate in my career to work alongside teams credited with propelling new and innovative approaches that have transformed the lives of patients and have been impressed by the positive results seen with AVB-500 and its potential to improve outcomes across multiple tumor types. I look forward to partnering with the Aravive management team on the potential pivotal trial strategy for AVB-500 in platinum resistant ovarian cancer.”

Earlier in his career, Mr. Rogers was an investment banker at Lehman Brothers and PaineWebber, where he focused on life sciences companies. He earned his M.B.A. from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and received his bachelor’s degree from Union College.

About Aravive
Aravive, Inc. is a clinical-stage oncology company developing transformative therapeutics designed to halt the progression of life-threatening diseases. Aravive’s lead therapeutic, AVB-500, is an ultra-high affinity decoy protein that targets the GAS6-AXL signaling pathway associated with tumor cell growth. Aravive recently successfully completed a Phase 1b trial of AVB-500 in platinum resistant ovarian cancer and selected 15 mg/kg as the dose for the next potential pivotal trial. Analysis of all safety data to date showed that AVB-500 has been generally well-tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities or unexpected safety signals. While the Phase 1b trial of AVB-500 in platinum resistant ovarian cancer was a safety trial and not powered to demonstrate efficacy, all 5 patients in the 15 mg/kg cohort experienced clinical benefit, with 1 complete response, 2 partial responses, and 2 stable disease. The Company also intends to initiate a Phase 1b/Phase 2 trial of AVB-500 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma later this year. For more information, please visit www.aravive.com.