Dyve Bioscience logoClinical-stage biotechnology company Dyve Biosciences announced this week that Camilla V. Simpson joined its board of directors.

Simpson possesses over 25 years of experience in the biotech industry, currently serving as an independent member of the board of directors at Spruce Biosciences and as a member of the scientific advisory board at Aristea Therapeutics, according to a news release.

She also holds the role of president of Rare Strategic and acts as a strategic advisor to early-stage biotech companies working in a number of indications across various modalities.

Simpson has also held previous roles including senior VP & head of product portfolio development at BioMarin Pharmaceutical and, before that, she was the VP of global regulatory strategy for early development and business development at Shire Pharmaceuticals.

“I am very pleased to join Dyve’s board of directors to support its efforts to develop new therapeutics utilizing innovative delivery science for broad applications,” Simpson said in the release. “Throughout my career, I have devised successful product development and regulatory strategies across a range of modalities and indications. I am excited to contribute my insights from these endeavors, as well as my recent experience with a successful IPO, as Dyve continues to evolve and advance its pipeline of novel drug candidates.”

Dyve develops the DYV-700 topically administered therapeutic for acute gout treatment. The Thousand Oaks, Calif.-based company won FDA clearance to begin a Targets Phase 2 trial for the therapeutic in December 2019.

The company’s therapeutic is a topical cream with the consistency of a moisturizer or lotion. The patient is supposed to apply it to the limb of the affected joint three times per day and the drug is designed to penetrate the skin, get into the joint space and change the pH environment in the joint, dissolving the crystals that cause pain. A previously conducted pilot study revealed a nearly 50% reduction in gout attack duration as meaningful and significant pain reduction was observed in minutes, not days.

“We are delighted to have Camilla join our board during this exciting time for Dyve,” Dyve CEO Dr. Ryan Beal said. “Our lead candidate, DYV700, in Phase 2 clinical development, has shown best-in-class potential for the treatment of acute gout flares and is on track for completion of Phase 2 in the first half of this year. With DYV700 and our emerging pipeline of additional Phase 2 candidates, Camilla’s wealth of leadership experience in product strategy, portfolio management, regulatory affairs, and business development will be invaluable as we continue to build momentum.

“We look forward to Camilla’s immediate contributions as DYV700 progresses through clinical trials and as we continue to advance the Dyve portfolio.”