ROCKVILLE, Md., April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- TissueGene, Inc. a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel regenerative therapies in the field of cell therapy, today announced the appointment of Robert A Newman to the position of Chief Operating Officer.  Mr. Newman was most recently Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Program Management & Clinical Operations at ZIOPHARM Oncology, a Boston, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company employing novel gene expression, control and cell technologies in the cancer treatment field.  Mr. Newman is an accomplished bio-pharmaceutical executive who will oversee clinical operations, manufacturing, research & development, business development and regulatory affairs as TissueGene enters pivotal phase 3 trials for its lead cell-based gene therapy asset, TG-C for the treatment of late-stage osteoarthritis of the knee.

"We welcome Bob to the TissueGene management team, where his near thirty years of drug development experience will help guide the Company through this critical next phase," said Woosok Lee, President & Chief Executive Officer of TissueGene. "The experience and expertise that Bob brings is especially relevant as we prepare for initiation of pivotal phase 3 studies and commercialization in the U.S."

Mr. Newman started his career in sales and marketing with Lederle Pharmaceuticals (Wyeth).  He has spent the last 25 years in the biotechnology space where he has led a variety of development operations. In his most recent role, his responsibilities included oversight of phase 3 pivotal studies and preparations for the company's first NDA filing. 

About TissueGene, Inc.

TissueGene, based in Rockville, Maryland, specializes in regenerative therapies affecting the joints, nerve and bone. Its novel osteoarthritis drug, TG-C, is designed to conveniently and effectively treat osteoarthritis of the knee by reducing pain, increasing function and slowing the progression of the disease without the side effects usually seen with other palliative options such as NSAIDs or steroids. TissueGene has completed Phase 2 trials of TG-C for an allogeneic cell therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee. Information can be found at the NIH registry, www.clinicaltrials.gov. For additional information about TissueGene, Inc., please visit the Company's website at www.TissueGene.com.

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SOURCE TissueGene, Inc.