#USA #Leadership #Douglas Manion #Sarasota #Lakewood-Amedex

Lakewood-Amedex's New Chapter: Leadership Changes

In a strategic move aimed at navigating the burgeoning field of antimicrobial and antifungal therapies, Lakewood-Amedex Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Sarasota, Florida, has taken a significant step by appointing Dr. Douglas Manion as Chairman of the Board of Directors. This announcement was made on February 12, 2025, marking an important transition for the company, which specializes in the development of its first-in-class Bisphosphocin® class of therapeutics.

Dr. Manion, who has been a board member since 2021 and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at Flare Therapeutics, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the leadership team to further develop the company’s promising portfolio of drugs aimed at tackling the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance. The global healthcare community is increasingly concerned about the rising tide of antimicrobial resistance, and Lakewood-Amedex is positioning itself at the forefront of developing innovative solutions.

In addition to Dr. Manion's appointment, Lakewood-Amedex has implemented a full reshuffling of its executive leadership team. Kelvin Cooper, Ph.D., who has substantial expertise in pharmaceutical science and previously served as Chief Operating Officer, has been elevated to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Cooper has over 45 years of experience in drug discovery and development, previously holding key positions at Pfizer where he managed various successful projects across numerous therapeutic areas, including infectious diseases and immunology.

To bolster the company’s financial oversight, Peter Ceccacci has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Ceccacci, a seasoned finance executive with experience spanning over three decades, has held various leadership roles across multiple industries, bringing valuable insights into strategic financial planning, budgeting, and compliance. His intimate knowledge of the financial landscape will be instrumental as the company strives to navigate through complex developmental phases in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Thomas Balzer remains integral to the company’s success as Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, continuing his commitment to advancing patient outcomes through clinical research.

Dr. Manion emphasized the importance of the leadership team's experience and commitment to innovation as they focus on their Bisphosphocin® therapeutic candidates. This class of drugs has shown promising results in preclinical studies, targeting a wide array of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as well as fungi. Notably, the lead candidate, Nu-3, has successfully completed exploratory Phase 2 clinical trials in patients with infected diabetic foot ulcers, paving the way for a larger Phase 2 trial.

As antibiotic resistance not only threatens healthcare but also public health on a global scale, Lakewood-Amedex aims to contribute significantly to combating this menace. The newly appointed leadership team—embodying a blend of scientific expertise and strategic financial management—will navigate the challenges ahead while optimizing their developmental efforts for the betterment of healthcare outcomes.

Lakewood-Amedex's focus on innovative research positions it to make impactful contributions toward addressing infectious diseases, and the changes within its leadership reflect a commitment to this mission. As their initiatives unfold, stakeholders and the medical community will be keenly watching the advancements stemming from this revitalized leadership structure.