Pharmaceutical Industry Leader Ronald M. Burch Joins Relmada Therapeutics Advisory Team

NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Relmada Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: RLMD), a clinical-stage company developing novel therapies for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, announced today announced that Ronald M. Burch M.D., Ph.D., formerly Chief Medical Officer at Naurex, Inc. recently acquired by Allergan, has joined Relmada as an advisory partner.

Dr. Burch brings to Relmada more than 25 years of experience in various aspects of discovery research, drug development, regulatory affairs and new product assessment, including working on two N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (also known as the NMDA receptor or NMDAR) drug development programs. In May 2016, Relmada announced results of an in vivo study showing that administration of d-Methadone (dextromethadone, REL-1017), a NMDA receptor antagonist, results in rapid antidepressant-like effects. The results were shown to be comparable to those achieved in similar treatment models using ketamine. Dr. Burch's appointment as an advisor to the Company reflects the significant progress Relmada is making – and is expected to continue making – to develop d-Methadone and other products in its pipeline.

"We are delighted to welcome Ron as an advisor to Relmada," said Sergio Traversa, Chief Executive Officer of Relmada Therapeutics. "His outstanding background in both the NMDA receptor and chronic pain, coupled with the strategic and leadership skills he has developed over the course of his career, will be of great value to Relmada."

"Relmada's positive success to date, including the recently announced d-Methadone results in depression, reflects the strength of the Company's Board and management team," Dr. Burch said. "I am excited to have the opportunity to advise this team as it further advances the clinical, regulatory and commercial development of Relmada's product pipeline."

About Dr. Ronald M. Burch

Dr. Ronald M. Burch, also known as Ron, M.D., PhD is an experienced biopharmaceutical executive with a professional career spanning more than 25 years, including nearly two decades of executive experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.

Most recently, Dr. Burch previously served as the Chief Medical Officer at Naurex, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel NMDA receptor modulators, which was acquired by Allergan plc in 2015 for a $560 million upfront payment, as well as potential R&D success-based and sales-threshold milestone payments. 

Among his many career accomplishments, Dr. Burch has served as Chairman of Zeneca Pharmaceuticals' Global CNS Therapeutics Area Team; co-founder and CEO of AlgoRx Pharmaceuticals, a company that successfully developed a number of therapeutic agents for pain management; CEO and Chairman of Biowave Corporation, a medical device company that successfully launched three neurostimulation products to treat chronic, intractable pain and postoperative pain; and Scientific Advisor of Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. Dr. Burch is currently CEO of Sanguistat, Inc, which is developing products to treat bleeding disorders.

Dr. Burch was employed at Purdue Pharma from 1995 to 2001, serving in a number of managerial positions, including Vice President of Scientific Evaluations and Immunotherapeutics, Medical Director and Project Manager and Medical Safety Officer for several pain development programs.

Dr. Burch also spent a number of years at NIH, performing research involving neuroreceptor regulation with Nobel Laureate Dr. Julius Axelrod. Dr. Burch obtained a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Burch holds BS degrees in chemistry and marine biology from the College of Charleston. There are over 200 publications that bear Dr. Burch's name.

About Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

Relmada Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, publicly traded biotechnology company developing novel versions of proven drug products together with new chemical entities that potentially address areas of high unmet medical need in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The Company has a diversified portfolio of four products at various stages of development, including d-Methadone (dextromethadone, REL-1017), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist for depression and neuropathic pain; LevoCap ER (REL-1015), an abuse resistant, sustained release dosage form of the opioid analgesic levorphanol; oral buprenorphine (BuTab, REL-1028), an oral dosage form of the opioid analgesic buprenorphine; and topical mepivacaine (MepiGel, REL-1021), an orphan drug designated topical formulation of the local anesthetic mepivacaine. The Company's product development efforts are guided by the internationally recognized scientific expertise of its research team. The Company's approach is expected to reduce clinical development risks and costs while potentially delivering valuable products to address areas of high unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit Relmada's website at: www.relmada.com.   

Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. We may from time to time make written or oral statements in this letter, the proxy statements filed with the SEC communications to stockholders and press releases which constitute "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events and conditions and may discuss, among other things, anticipated future performance, expected product development, product potential, future business plans and costs. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "will," "will likely result," "will continue," "plans to" and similar expressions. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Relmada undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that it is not possible to predict or identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results and that the risks described herein should not be considered to be a complete list.

Contact

Investor Contact:
Michael Becker, Chief Financial Officer
Relmada Therapeutics Inc.
Tel: 646-677-3857
mbecker@relmada.com

Media Contact:
Lynn Granito
Berry & Company Public Relations
Tel: 212-253-8881
lgranito@berrypr.com

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SOURCE Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.