Date: Apr 02, 2014 Author: Don Seiffert Source: bizjournals (
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The new name and logo of the company formerly called EnVivo Pharmaceuticals is meant to emphasize the fact that its lead drug is now in late-stage trials.
Don Seiffert
BioFlash Editor- Boston Business Journal
A Watertown-based biotech with a drug in late-stage development intended to treat Alzheimer's disease has changed its name to Forum Pharmaceuticals to better emphasize its role as a late-stage drug development company.
The new name for the biotech formerly known as EnVivo Pharmaceuticals, and headed by former Millennium CEO Deborah Dunsire, is meant to reflect "the company's strong position as a late-stage, purpose-built organization that is focused on conquering challenging brain diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease," according to the company's statement today. The company is not changing its organizational structure nor its investors.
"The name Forum captures our commitment to perseverance and innovation, and highlights our bold approach to bringing new therapies to help people with serious brain diseases overcome their everyday symptoms," Dunsire said. "Historically, a forum is a place where people come together to debate and share ideas. As Forum Pharmaceuticals, we are combining that spirit of collaboration with a singular focus on brain disease, to find and develop new medicines that improve patients' abilities to function."
The company was founded in 2001 with the former name, EnVivo, the Latin word used to describe early-stage research in living cells. Forum's lead drug, encenicline, is at this point far past that stage, and has been in human trials for years. In January, the privately-funded company announced the beginning of a 1,600 patient trial that is hoped to be the last stage before applying for approval of the drug in Alzheimer's. The same drug, which helps preserve memory and brain function, is also in tests to treat schizophrenia.
The company, which had 160 employees as of January, also launched a new website today.
