Ambrx Inc. announced today that it has been issued U.S. Patent No. 7,045,337 entitled "In vivo incorporation of unnatural amino acids."

Aker, who has held senior positions with biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, will focus on business development, licensing and legal and intellectual property matters. She will report to Ambrx’s president and chief executive officer, Martin Mattingly.

“The addition of Hazel comes at a time when we are focused on advancing our lead candidates, a long-acting human growth hormone and a PEGylated interferon alpha molecule, toward the clinic,” Mattingly said. “At the same time we are discussing partnership opportunities with several prominent pharmaceutical companies. Hazel will be instrumental in developing these collaborations as we move forward.”

Prior to joining Ambrx, Aker was senior vice president of regulatory operations and legal affairs and general counsel of CancerVax Corp. Before this, she held leadership positions with Alaris Medical Inc. and its subsidiary, Alaris Medical Systems Inc., and Women First HealthCare Inc.

Aker holds a juris doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego.

About Ambrx
Ambrx is a biopharmaceutical company focused on optimizing existing protein drugs. Using its technology, the company can overcome the performance challenges of high-value commercial proteins by improving their efficacy, safety and ease of use. Ambrx’s core ReCODE™ technology allows for the precise, site-specific substitution of a novel amino acid within a protein. This technology is applicable to multiple protein products across numerous therapeutic areas. Ambrx expects to initiate clinical trials with a long-acting PEGylated human growth hormone in early 2007, followed by an enhanced PEGylated interferon alpha molecule. With its innovative approach, Ambrx has the potential to reduce timelines, decrease costs and improve the likelihood for success in working with its partners. For additional information, call 858.875.2400 or visit www.ambrx.com.