CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INFI) today announced that Jeffery Kutok, M.D., Ph.D. has been promoted to the role of chief scientific officer, effective immediately. In this role, Dr. Kutok will be responsible for overseeing biology and translational science efforts, including preclinical collaborations, to support the ongoing clinical development of IPI-549, Infinity's oral immuno-oncology development candidate that selectively inhibits phosphoinositide-3-kinase-gamma (PI3K-gamma). Dr. Kutok will join the executive leadership team and report to Ms. Adelene Perkins, Infinity's chair and chief executive officer. Dr. Kutok joined Infinity in 2010 and was promoted to vice president, biology and translational science in 2013.

"Jeff's appointment to chief scientific officer reflects his strong scientific acumen and deep expertise in oncology. Additionally, his experience in translational research and as a medical pathologist makes Jeff a perfect complement to our clinical development team as we work to validate our preclinical discoveries for IPI-549 in the clinic," stated Adelene Perkins, chief executive officer. "Jeff has made significant contributions to Infinity throughout his tenure, including leading the Infinity team that co-authored two recent Nature publications summarizing preclinical data for IPI-549. I look forward to continuing to work together as we advance our promising development candidate in an ongoing Phase 1 study in patients with advanced solid tumors."

Prior to joining Infinity in 2010, Dr. Kutok was an associate professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. His laboratory focused on translational medicine research and biomarker identification in cancer, and he is an author on over 190 journal articles, reviews and book chapters. Dr. Kutok is board certified in Anatomic Pathology and Hematology and had clinical duties in Hematopathology and Molecular Diagnostics at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Kutok received his B.S. in biology and his M.D., Ph.D. in medicine and molecular pathology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. His Ph.D. was earned working in the laboratory of Dr. Barry Coller, M.D. in the field of platelet pathobiology. He was also a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University in the laboratory of Dr. Gary Gilliland, M.D., Ph.D.

About IPI-549
IPI-549 is an investigational, orally administered immuno-oncology development candidate that selectively inhibits PI3K-gamma. In preclinical studies, IPI-549 increases antitumor immunity by targeting tumor-associated myeloid cells and overcomes immune checkpoint blockade resistance in preclinical tumor models. As such, IPI-549 may have the potential to treat a broad range of solid tumors and represents a potentially complementary approach to restoring anti-tumor immunity in combination with other immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors. A Phase 1 study of IPI-549 in patients with advanced solid tumors is ongoing.[1]

About Infinity
Infinity is an innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing novel medicines for people with cancer. Infinity is advancing IPI-549, an oral immuno-oncology development candidate that selectively inhibits PI3K-gamma. A Phase 1 study in patients with advanced solid tumors is ongoing. For more information on Infinity, please refer to Infinity's website at www.infi.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding: the therapeutic potential of PI3K-gamma selective inhibition and IPI-549, alone and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors; clinical trial plans regarding IPI-549; and the company's ability to execute on its strategic plans. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from the company's current expectations. For example, there can be no guarantee that IPI-549 will successfully complete necessary preclinical and clinical development phases. Further, there can be no guarantee that any positive developments in Infinity's product portfolio or other strategic options Infinity may pursue will result in stock price appreciation. Management's expectations and, therefore, any forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other factors, including the following: Infinity's results of clinical trials and preclinical studies, including subsequent analysis of existing data and new data received from ongoing and future studies; the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. FDA and other regulatory authorities; Infinity's ability to obtain and maintain requisite regulatory approvals and to enroll patients in its clinical trials; unplanned cash requirements and expenditures; development of agents by Infinity's competitors for diseases in which Infinity is currently developing or intends to develop IPI-549; and Infinity's ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for IPI-549. These and other risks which may impact management's expectations are described in greater detail under the caption "Risk Factors" included in Infinity's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 9, 2016, and other filings filed by Infinity with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Infinity expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Jaren Irene Madden, Senior Director,
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
617-453-1336 or Jaren.Madden@infi.com

([1] www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02637531.)

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SOURCE Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.