Receptor Life Sciences Names Orrin Devinsky and Stephen J. Hoffman to Board of Directors

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Receptor Life Sciences (Receptor) today announced the appointments of Orrin Devinsky, M.D., Ph.D. and Stephen J. Hoffman, M.D., Ph.D. to its Board of Directors. Both come to Receptor with long careers in drug development.

Orrin Devinsky, M.D., Ph.D. directs the New York University (NYU) Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and the Saint Barnabas Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. He is a Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Dr. Devinsky has published more than 600 articles and book chapters, has written or edited more than 20 books, and has been the principal investigator for multiple antiepileptic clinical trials. He has current research support from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, MURI, National Science Foundation and Simmons Foundation.

In the emerging field of cannabinoid research, Dr. Devinsky was a principal investigator for the development of GW Pharmaceuticals' Epidiolex® (cannabidiol) to treat seizures associated with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, rare and severe forms of childhood-onset epilepsy. The work led Time magazine to name him one of the top 10 leaders advancing medical treatments in 2018.

Stephen J. Hoffman, M.D., Ph.D. is an independent consultant in the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals fields. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Apic-Bio, Inc., and Danforth Advisors.

Previously, Dr. Hoffman served as Chief Executive Officer and director of Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2017 until 2019. Prior to that, he served as a senior advisor to PDL BioPharma, Inc. from 2014 until 2017. He was a managing director at Skyline Ventures from 2007 until 2014. From 2003 to 2007, Dr. Hoffman was a general partner at TVM Capital, a venture capital firm.

From 1994 to 2002, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Allos Therapeutics, Inc., where he remained as Chairman of the Board of Directors until it was acquired by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in September 2012. Dr. Hoffman also served on the Boards of Directors of Genocea Biosciences, Inc., and Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline in 2008.

“I am very excited to be announcing two such accomplished additions to our team,” said Mark Theeuwes, President, CEO, Receptor Life Sciences. “As Receptor cements our place in a rapidly-developing industry, we cannot overstate our appreciation for the collective knowledge and experience of our Board of Directors. Combined, Dr. Devinsky and Dr. Hoffman bring over 40 years of academic and business achievements from their respective careers, and Receptor is thrilled to be inheriting that.”

About Receptor Life Sciences

Receptor Life Sciences is a pharmaceutical company that applies FDA-approved drug-delivery technologies to develop innovative therapies to address central nervous system disorders that have few safe and effective treatments. Receptor Life Sciences uses these technologies to produce inhaled and oral cannabinoid products that hold the potential to provide precision, consistency, reliability, and convenience. For more information about Receptor Life Sciences, its patented product candidates and its progress toward FDA approval see: www.receptorlife.com.