SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: NRIX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted protein modulation drugs designed to treat patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases, today announced the appointment of Anil Kapur to its board of directors, effective October 15, 2024. Mr. Kapur has over 25 years of executive experience in pharmaceutical and biotech companies across both U.S. and international markets.

“I am delighted to welcome Anil to the Nurix board as we enter this important stage in the company’s development and execute on our plan to advance NX-5948 into pivotal clinical testing in 2025 and prepare for future commercialization,” said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Nurix. “Anil has an impressive record of commercial operations excellence and extensive experience launching novel drugs in hematology and oncology with direct relevance to Nurix’s pipeline, including the launch of blockbuster drugs Imbruvica and Darzalex while at Johnson & Johnson. I believe his strategic, marketing, sales and business development insights will be invaluable to Nurix in the years to come.”

Mr. Kapur began his pharmaceutical executive career as Vice President, Commercial Leader Hematology Franchise at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson’s global pharmaceutical strategy organization. As the J&J Joint Commercialization Committee Leader in partnership with Pharmacyclics, Mr. Kapur launched Imbruvica, the first BTK inhibitor for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, achieving an estimated $1 billion in sales within 18 months of launch. Mr. Kapur also led the J&J/Genmab joint commercialization committee and the global team that launched the transformational product Darzalex, the first biologic for multiple myeloma.

“I am excited to join Nurix’s board of directors at this important time as NX-5948 is poised to enter pivotal trials and as we form the strategy for its commercialization,” said Mr. Kapur. “I believe Nurix’s targeted protein degrader drug pipeline has great potential to change the treatment landscape and help patients living with B cell malignancies and beyond.”

As a senior leader in hematology and oncology in both small and large organizations, Mr. Kapur has been responsible for launching significant global brands, building and managing commercial capabilities, driving corporate strategy and managing alliances. Most recently, Mr. Kapur served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Chief Commercial Officer at Geron Corporation from December 2019 to August 2024. Prior to Geron, Mr. Kapur served as Chief Commercial Officer at Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and as Vice President, Head of Early Assets, Biomarkers and External Innovation for Worldwide Oncology Commercialization at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Mr. Kapur is a member of the board of directors of Verastem, Inc., a late-stage development biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Kapur holds a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology in India, an MS in Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.