Dragonfly Therapeutics Adds Leading Protein Engineer to Its Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Dane Wittrup, Ph.D., a pioneer in the science of targeting cancer with antibodies, joins as a scientific advisor to breakthrough immunotherapy startup 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 3, 2016 /CNW/ -- Dragonfly Therapeutics, Inc. ("Dragonfly"), today announced the addition of pioneering protein engineer Dane Wittrup to the company's Scientific Advisory Board. "Dane joins Dragonfly co-founders Dr. Tyler Jacks and Dr. David Raulet, as well as Nobel Prize winner Harold Varmus, in leading our company toward game changing drugs that eliminate cancer," said CEO William Haney. "We are thrilled to have his expertise on our Scientific Advisory Board."

Professor K. Dane Wittrup, Ph.D. is a pioneer in protein engineering technologies and an expert in the science of targeting cancer with antibodies. Dr. Wittrup is the C.P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering and Biological Engineering at MIT and Associate Director of MIT's Koch Institute. Dr. Wittrup is co-founder and acting Chief Scientific Officer at Adimab and is a fellow of the American Institute of Biomedical Engineers. He previously worked as a postdoctoral research associate in Amgen's Yeast Molecular Biology Group. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

"I have dedicated my life's work to develop improved strategies to treat human disease," said Professor Wittrup. "Now is a key time in the development of immune-based strategies for treating cancer, and Dragonfly is pursuing an exciting new class of drugs in this area. I am excited to join Dragonfly's impressive Scientific Advisory Board toward this endeavor."

For more information on Dragonfly, email [e-mail] . Or, visit www.dragonflytx.com, follow Dragonfly on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dragonflytherapeutics/) and Twitter @dragonflytx).

About Dragonfly Therapeutics
Dragonfly Therapeutics is a discovery-stage company developing drugs to stimulate immune responses against cancer. 

We are developing novel first-in-class therapeutics targeted at natural killer cells and other cells of the innate immune system. These therapies are designed to counterbalance immune suppressive factors present in the tumor microenvironment and mobilize anti-cancer immune responses. Our molecules are expected to be potent as single agents as well as in treatment combinations with existing cancer immunotherapies.

Our scientific founders are major figures in cancer biology and immunology and have launched Dragonfly to harness the power of the immune system to provide breakthrough cancer treatments for patients.

Media Contact:
Maura McCarthy
Dragonfly Therapeutics
617.780.1660
[e-mail]

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SOURCE Dragonfly Therapeutics, Inc.