MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.,
Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexza
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXA) announced today that
Robert A. Lippe has joined the
Company as Executive Vice President, Operations and Chief
Operations Officer. In this newly created position, Mr. Lippe
has responsibility for the Company's global operation functions,
including strategic development and execution of clinical and
commercial manufacturing, quality and compliance, supply chain and
supply partner management, technology transfer, facilities,
sustainment engineering and IT in support of the Company's product
and technology portfolio.
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"With the ongoing commercialization of ADASUVE in the U.S. and
EU, and commercial partnerships in place with Teva and Ferrer, it
is an exciting time to join Alexza," said Mr. Lippe. "I look
forward to working with Alexza's talented team to develop
world-class operational capability and continued organizational
success in bringing innovative products to patients."
"We are pleased to welcome Rob to our senior management team,"
said Thomas B. King, President and
CEO. "Rob brings an extensive set of operational skills,
along with a strategic sense and outlook. We look forward to
his contributions as we continue the growth of the Company through
the global launch of ADASUVE and expansion of our product candidate
pipeline."
Mr. Lippe brings more than two decades of experience in
operations with multinational biopharmaceutical companies and
national research laboratories. From January 2011 to February
2014, Mr. Lippe served as the Head of Global Operations
& Operational Excellence at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. Prior to Ironwood, Mr. Lippe worked for Genentech, Inc.
from 2002 to 2011. From October
2007 to January 2011, Mr.
Lippe served as the Head of Manufacturing for Genentech's Vacaville
Operations. From May 2002 until
October 2007, Mr. Lippe held multiple
positions in strategic operations, drug substance and drug product
manufacturing, and facilities. Prior to joining Genentech,
Mr. Lippe spent ten years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
and six years as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Mr.
Lippe received his MPH and MBA degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and received a
BS degree in marine engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy.
About Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Alexza Pharmaceuticals is focused on the research, development and
commercialization of novel, proprietary products for the acute
treatment of central nervous system conditions. Alexza's
products are based on the Staccato® system,
a hand-held inhaler designed to deliver a drug aerosol to the deep
lung, providing rapid systemic delivery and therapeutic onset, in a
simple, non-invasive manner.
ADASUVE® (Staccato loxapine) is
Alexza's first commercial product, which was approved by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration in December
2012 and by the European Commission in February 2013.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. is
Alexza's commercial partner for ADASUVE in the U.S.
Grupo Ferrer Internacional, S.A. is
Alexza's commercial partner for ADASUVE in Europe, Latin
America, Russia and the
Commonwealth of Independent States countries.
ADASUVE® and
Staccato® are registered trademarks of
Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains
forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and
uncertainties. Any statement describing the Company's expectations
or beliefs is a forward-looking statement, as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and should be
considered an at-risk statement. Such statements are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the
process of developing and commercializing drugs, including the
ability of Alexza and our partners, Teva and Ferrer, to effectively
and profitably commercialize ADASUVE, estimated product revenues
and royalties associated with the sale of ADASUVE, the adequacy of
the Company's capital to support the Company's operations, and the
Company's ability to raise additional funds and the potential terms
of such potential financings. The Company's forward-looking
statements also involve assumptions that, if they prove incorrect,
would cause its results to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. These and other
risks concerning Alexza's business are described in additional
detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2012 and the
Company's other Periodic and Current Reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements
contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and the
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc.