Sierra Oncology Appoints Christina Thomson as General Counsel

- Ms. Thomson brings extensive strategic, transactional and intellectual property experience as Sierra prepares for potential transition into a commercial company -

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sierra Oncology, Inc. (SRRA), a late-stage drug development company focused on the registration and commercialization of momelotinib, a JAK1, JAK2 & ACVR1 inhibitor with a potentially differentiated therapeutic profile for the treatment of myelofibrosis, today announced the appointment of Christina Thomson as General Counsel. Ms. Thomson joins the Company with extensive experience providing strategic, transactional and intellectual property advice to life sciences companies.

“Christina is a highly effective General Counsel with a wealth of business and legal expertise, including corporate and competitive strategy, licensing, and commercialization planning. Her experience makes her the ideal person to lead our legal functions and will be especially valuable as we prepare for top-line results from the Phase 3 MOMENTUM trial and the potential commercialization of momelotinib,” said Dr. Stephen Dilly, President and CEO of Sierra Oncology.

"I am excited to join the Sierra team at such an important time. We have a differentiated drug candidate poised to yield pivotal data, a sizable market opportunity and a strong financial position,” said Ms. Thomson. “I look forward to working closely with this accomplished team as we focus on bringing a new treatment option to the myelofibrosis community and prepare for our potential transition into a commercial organization.”

Christina Thomson is a seasoned legal executive who has served as General Counsel for several public, private and non-profit life sciences companies, including Athira Pharma, Infectious Disease Research Institute, APT Pharmaceuticals and Avigen, in addition to representing clients in private practice. Christina began her career as a patent attorney and has been registered to practice with the USPTO for more than two decades. With a Master's degree in Biology, Ms. Thomson worked as a scientist at Myriad Genetic Laboratories prior to law school, where she helped with troubleshooting and validation of the data analysis process for the launch of the BRACAnalysis test.