BOSTON, June 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zafgen, Inc., (Nasdaq:ZFGN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary MetAP2 biology platform to develop novel therapies for patients affected by complex metabolic diseases, announced today the appointment of Wendy Everett, Sc.D. to the Company’s Board of Directors. Additionally, Zafgen announced the retirement of Bruce Booth, Ph.D., and Frances Heller from their current Board appointments.

“I am proud to work alongside the highly experienced, respected and distinguished biopharma and healthcare industry leaders that comprise our Board of Directors, and we are honored to welcome Dr. Wendy Everett to our Board at a pivotal time for the Company,” said Jeffrey Hatfield, Chief Executive Officer of Zafgen, Inc. “Zafgen is advancing three promising MetAP2 inhibitor programs, including indications for type 2 diabetes and rare complex metabolic disorders, with an initial indication in Prader-Willi syndrome. Wendy’s expertise in healthcare policy and management will be instrumental in supporting and guiding Zafgen’s corporate activities and representing the interests of our shareholders.”

Mr. Hatfield continued, “We extend our deep appreciation to Bruce and Fran for their commitment and service to Zafgen and our shareholders, and for their significant contributions in guiding the Company to this transformative point in our evolution.”

“Zafgen’s approach to addressing complex metabolic diseases has the potential to make an important difference for patients affected by type 2 diabetes, Prader-Willi syndrome and other serious conditions,” said Dr. Everett. “I’ve spent my career on the leading edge of healthcare innovation, and I look forward to being part of the Zafgen Board of Directors as the Company advances its novel clinical development programs and works to meet its R&D, patient community and financial goals.”

As of June 6, 2018, the Zafgen Board of Directors includes:

• Peter Barrett, Ph.D., Chairman, Partner at Atlas Venture
• Thomas O. Daniel, M.D., Former Chairman of Research, Celgene Corporation
• Wendy Everett, Sc.D., Special Advisor, Network for Excellence in Health Innovation (NEHI)
• Jeffrey S. Hatfield, Chief Executive Officer, Zafgen
• Thomas E. Hughes, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer, Zafgen
• John LaMattina, Ph.D., Former President of Pfizer Global R&D
• C. Geoffrey McDonough, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Generation Bio
• Robert J. Perez, Former Chief Executive Officer, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Frank E. Thomas, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer, Orchard Therapeutics

About Dr. Wendy Everett
Dr. Wendy Everett has more than 30 years of experience spanning a variety of healthcare, health policy, academic, entrepreneurial, educational and clinical care settings. Since 2002, Dr. Everett has held multiple executive-level positions at the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation (NEHI), formerly the New England Healthcare Institute, where she currently serves as Special Advisor, including CEO and President. She also currently serves as Senior Advisor to Avalere Health. Prior to her executive positions at NEHI, Dr. Everett was Managing Director at the Institute for the Future from 1995 to 2002, an independent, futures research organization. Other previous strategic and leadership roles held by Dr. Everett include Principal, GBE Consulting; Senior Vice President, Interpractice Systems; National Program Director, Kaiser Family Foundation; Vice President, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; National Program Director, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; and other positions in academia and health care. Dr. Everett received a B.S. in psychology and education from University of Rochester and a B.S. in Nursing from University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Everett also earned her S.M. and Sc.D. in health policy and management from Harvard University.

About Zafgen
Zafgen (Nasdaq:ZFGN) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary MetAP2 biology platform to develop novel therapies for patients affected by complex metabolic diseases. Zafgen has pioneered the study of MetAP2 inhibitors in both common and rare metabolic disorders and is currently advancing programs for type 2 diabetes, Prader-Willi syndrome and liver diseases. The Company’s lead product candidate, ZGN-1061, a MetAP2 inhibitor for difficult-to-control type 2 diabetes, has demonstrated positive interim results in a Phase 2 clinical trial. Learn more at www.zafgen.com.