Ensysce Biosciences Announces Key Additions to Executive Team Ahead of Financing

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Ensysce is developing proprietary TAAPTM/MPARTM prodrug delivery and overdose technology to stem the opioid abuse epidemic

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ensysce Biosciences Inc., a clinical phase drug development company with innovative technologies to curb prescription drug abuse and overdose, today announced two appointments to its senior management team. Kurt Schmidt has been appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Schmidt is coming on board just as the company is rapidly progressing its lead TAAPTM product, PF614 through clinical development to help stem the opioid crisis that is facing America. Geoff Birkett is joining as the Chief Commercial Officer to position the company’s therapeutic pipeline in the marketplace.

Mr. Schmidt has over 30 years of experience in helping build early stage companies as they progress from development to commercialization. He has lived and worked in both the US and Europe and recently held positions at healthcare companies MDxHealth and Agendia where he was CFO. He will be responsible for finance strategy and business expansion at Ensysce. “I look forward to working with the team to bring solutions to our healthcare system,” said Mr. Schmidt. “My near-term focus will be on raising capital to support our ongoing clinical trials. I am especially encouraged by the support of our programs by the FDA with Fast-Track designation and the recent award from the NIH through the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which shows the importance placed on our work by the government.”

Mr. Birkett has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a focus on CNS, oncology, pain and addiction. He is the former SVP of Global development and Marketing for CNS/Oncology products at AstraZeneca and has launched such brands as Nicorette, Prozac, Seroquel and Zomig. Most recently he has acted as consultant with several pharmaceutical companies on development strategy and marketing.

“Ensysce is leading the challenge of entering the opioid space when the political and regulatory climate is looking for new answers for analgesia. Opioid products are necessary for many indications, and Ensysce is providing an option for both patients and prescribers that can reduce abuse and stem overdose from these prescription products. Kurt and Geoff recognize the opportunities to contribute to this effort and are coming on board to aid our financing goals and commercial activities for the coming years,” said Dr. Kirkpatrick, CEO of Ensysce Biosciences. “Our TAAPTM oral prodrug technology and MPARTM overdose protection, both unique to the industry, have already demonstrated exceptional clinical results. We look forward to rapidly progressing these through clinical development so the public can benefit from these safer alternatives.”

About Ensysce Biosciences:

Ensysce is a clinical phase drug development company with a focus on prodrug compositions to overcome abuse, especially for the highly abused opioid and ADHD prescription drugs. As prescriptions for opioids have risen sharply over the last two decades, rates of addiction and overdose deaths have dramatically increased. Drug overdose deaths are now the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Abuse Deterrent Formulation (ADF) opioids have not stemmed this epidemic. Ensysce’s Trypsin Activated Abuse Protection (TAAPTM) and Multi-Pill Abuse Resistance (MPARTM) products will change that and provide a promise of halting opioid deaths. Ensysce’s TAAPTM/MPARTM platforms are covered by an extensive worldwide intellectual property portfolio for a wide array of prescription drug prodrug compositions. www.ensysce.com

Lynn Kirkpatrick, PhD
CEO
Ensysce Biosciences Inc.
www.ensysce.com
858-242-1553

Kurt Schmidt
CFO
Ensysce Biosciences Inc.
www.ensysce.com
858-242-1553

Source: Ensysce Biosciences Inc.

Released April 16, 2019