ContraVir Pharmaceuticals Appoints Thomas H. Adams, Ph.D., to Board of Directors

EDISON, N.J., Sept. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ContraVir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRV), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of targeted antiviral therapies, announced today the appointment of Thomas H. Adams, Ph.D., to the Company's Board of Directors.  Dr. Adams is a seasoned biotechnology veteran who also currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Trovagene, Inc.

James Sapirstein, Chief Executive Officer of ContraVir, stated, "Tom is an accomplished executive and entrepreneur.  He has significant experience growing public and private biotechnology companies from his long career in the industry. He will be a valuable addition to our Board of Directors and we are pleased to welcome him."

Dr. Adams is currently a director of Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  In addition, Dr. Adams  served as a director of IRIS International, Inc. since June 2005 and Chief Technology Officer of IRIS from April 2006 until November 2012 when it was acquired by Danaher Corporation.   Dr. Adams served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Leucadia Technologies, a privately held medical-device company, from 1998 to April 2006, when Leucadia was acquired by IRIS.

Previously, in 1989, Dr. Adams founded Genta, Inc., a publicly held biotechnology company in the field of antisense technology, and served as its Chief Executive Officer until 1997. Dr. Adams founded Gen-Probe, Inc. in 1984 and served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman until its acquisition by Chugai Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. in 1989.

Dr. Adams has significant public company experience serving as a director of Biosite Diagnostics, Inc. from 1989 to 1998 and as a director of Invitrogen from 2000 to 2002. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California, at Riverside.

About ContraVir Pharmaceuticals
ContraVir is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of targeted antiviral therapies with a specific focus on developing a potentially curative therapy for hepatitis B virus (HBV). The Company is developing two novel anti-HBV compounds with complementary mechanisms of action: CMX157, a highly potent analog of the successful antiviral drug tenofovir currently in Phase 2a, which has demonstrated the potential for low, once a day dosing compared to Viread^® and decreased systemic exposure, thereby potentially reducing renal and bone side effects; and CRV431, a next generation cyclophilin inhibitor with a unique structure that increases its potency and selective index against HBV. ContraVir is also developing FV-100, an orally available nucleoside analogue prodrug for the treatment of herpes zoster, or shingles, in a Phase 3 clinical trial. In addition to direct antiviral activity, FV-100 has demonstrated the potential to reduce the incidence of debilitating shingles-associated pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in a Phase 2 clinical study. For more information visit www.contravir.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimated" and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on ContraVir's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; our ability to continue as a going concern; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties with respect to lengthy and expensive clinical trials, that results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any drug candidates under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical trials discussed in this press release will be completed or successful, or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. ContraVir does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in ContraVir's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015 and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information, please contact:

Sharen Pyatetskaya
Director of Investor Relations
[email protected]; (732) 902-4028

Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. 
Joshua Drumm, Ph.D. (investors)
[email protected]; (212) 375-2664

Claire LaCagnina (media)
[email protected]; (212) 375-2686

SOURCE ContraVir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.contravir.com