EntreMed Inc, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, said Ronald E. Cape retired as director, effective June 5, 2008.
Dr. Cape has been a director of EntreMed since 2003. He was the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Cetus Corporation, a world leader and pioneer in genetic engineering, including the discovery and development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for which Cetus scientist Kary Mullis received the Nobel Prize. Cetus later merged with Chiron Corporation. Dr. Cape was the founding chairman of Darwin Molecular Corporation, which was later sold to Chiroscience plc. He was also a founding member of the Biotechnology Industry Organization and served as its President for three years.
In announcing his pending retirement, Dr. Cape said, "I am pleased to have served on the EntreMed Board during its rebuilding period. The Company has promising programmes that are making good progress, but I would now like to spend more time with my family and friends. I wish everyone at EntreMed continued progress."
"Dr. Cape has been a distinguished member of our Board since he joined in 2003. He has been involved in the biotech industry virtually from the beginning, and he has participated actively in its development since those early days. His valuable contributions to the field of biotechnology and his contribution to EntreMed are hallmarks of his leadership and commitment to the industry. We are honored to have had the opportunity to draw from Dr. Cape's vast knowledge and sage advice. While his service will be missed, we wish him all the best in his retirement," said, Michael M. Tarnow, chairman, EntreMed Board.