BeiGene Appoints Amy Peterson, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer, Immuno-oncology

WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 24, 2016 -- BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ:BGNE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, today announced the appointment of Amy C. Peterson, M.D. as Chief Medical Officer, Immuno-oncology. Dr. Peterson will lead the global clinical development of BGB-A317, BeiGene’s PD-1 inhibitor; BGB-290, BeiGene’s PARP inhibitor; and the expanding pipeline of other immuno-oncology agents expected to enter clinical development. Dr. Eric Hedrick, currently serving as the Interim Chief Medical Officer, will continue to oversee global clinical hematology development including the program for BGB-3111, BeiGene’s BTK inhibitor, and will remain serving as an advisor as BeiGene continues to expand its global clinical development capabilities.  

“We are delighted to have Dr. Peterson join our team,” said John V. Oyler, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of BeiGene. “BeiGene continues to expand its senior medical leadership in response to emerging global development opportunities, particularly in immuno-oncology. Amy’s broad experience in oncology drug development and her academic background in immuno-oncology research are well-suited to our expanding clinical development efforts. We very much look forward to her contribution in the continued growth and development of our existing and future pipeline and the company as a whole.”

“BeiGene has a robust pipeline of clinical stage, internally discovered molecules against validated targets as well as an expanding roster of candidates in the preclinical pipeline,” said Dr. Peterson. “I look forward to leveraging my past experiences to successfully build an organization that can bring these assets to market while continuing to expand the clinical pipeline.”

Prior to joining BeiGene, Dr. Peterson was Vice President of Clinical Development at Medivation, where she was primarily responsible for the development of enzalutamide and talazoparib in breast cancer and of pidilizumab in diffuse large b-cell lymphoma. Previously, she served as Associate Group Medical Director at Genentech, where she was responsible for the development of early stage molecules targeting multiple major pathways in oncology. Prior to joining Genentech, Dr. Peterson was an Instructor of Medicine in Oncology at the University of Chicago, where she conducted translational research in tumor immunology in conjunction with Dr. Thomas F. Gajewski.

Dr. Peterson received her M.D. from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA, and she completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at the University of Chicago. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.

About BeiGene

BeiGene is a global, clinical-stage, research-based biotechnology company focused on molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology cancer therapeutics. With a team of over 250 scientists, clinicians and staff in mainland China, the United States, Australia and Taiwan, BeiGene is advancing a pipeline consisting of novel oral small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for cancer. BeiGene is working to create combination solutions aimed to have both a meaningful and lasting impact on cancer patients.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws, including statements regarding BeiGene’s advancement of, and anticipated development and regulatory milestones and plans related to, BeiGene’s drug candidates and clinical trials, including commencing registration and combination trials and providing data readouts and updates for its clinical and preclinical candidates.  Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including BeiGene's ability to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its drug candidates; the clinical results for its drug candidates, which may not support further development; actions of regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of clinical trials; BeiGene's ability to achieve market acceptance in the medical community necessary for commercial success; BeiGene's ability to obtain and maintain protection of intellectual property for its technology and drugs; BeiGene's reliance on third parties to conduct preclinical studies and clinical trials; BeiGene’s limited operating history and BeiGene's ability to obtain additional funding for operations and to complete the development and commercialization of its drug candidates, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the BeiGene’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in BeiGene's subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  All information in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and BeiGene undertakes no duty to update such information unless required by law.

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