CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spero Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPRO), a multi-asset clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing novel treatments for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, today announced the appointment of Ian A. Critchley, Ph.D. as Head of Clinical Microbiology to lead Spero’s pre-clinical and clinical microbiology efforts. Dr. Critchley brings over 30 years of experience in anti-infective drug discovery and development to Spero.

“I am pleased that Ian is joining Spero to provide leadership and expertise on microbiology for the Company,” said Ankit Mahadevia, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Spero Therapeutics. “Ian’s hiring is part of our strategic plan to build the organization needed to support SPR994 in our planned Phase 3 pivotal trial and beyond, as well as to run a robust clinical portfolio. He will play an integral part in helping us achieve our mission of bringing novel therapies to market that address the growing threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria.”

Prior to joining Spero Therapeutics, Dr. Critchley served as Vice President of Clinical Microbiology at Allergan plc since 2015, where he managed pre-clinical and clinical microbiology studies on anti-infective compounds including Teflaro®, Avycaz®, and Dalvance®. Prior to Allergan plc, Dr. Critchley served six years at Cerexa, Inc., a subsidiary of Forest Laboratories, Inc., as the Vice President of Clinical Microbiology overseeing microbiology studies for its anti-bacterial programs. Prior to Cerexa, Inc., Dr. Critchley served as the Executive Director of Microbiology at Replidyne, Inc. for six years and held earlier positions at Focus Technologies, Inc. and SmithKline Beecham plc. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

About Spero

Spero Therapeutics is a multi-asset, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing novel treatments for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections.

Spero is advancing SPR994, a carbapenem-class antibiotic, which is designed to be the first broad-spectrum oral antibiotic for use in adults to treat MDR Gram-negative infections.

Spero is also advancing its Potentiator Platform, which it believes will enable the development of drugs that will expand the spectrum and potency of existing antibiotics, including formerly inactive antibiotics, against Gram-negative bacteria. The product candidates are two IV-administered agents, SPR741 and SPR206, designed to treat MDR Gram-negative infections in the hospital setting.

Spero is also advancing SPR720, its novel oral therapy product candidate designed for the treatment of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection, an orphan infectious disease.

For more information, visit https://sperotherapeutics.com.