ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic
Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), a developer of biologics focused
on the prevention and treatment of serious infectious diseases,
announced today that Lewis (Lew)
Barrett joined the Company as its Senior Vice President,
Commercial Strategy. Mr. Barrett, former Assistant Vice President,
Established Products at Pfizer and Vice President Global Business
Manager, Infectious Diseases at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, brings his
expertise in the development, commercialization and launch of
infectious disease product candidates to the Synthetic Biologics'
team.
As the senior marketing executive, Mr. Barrett successfully led,
co-chaired or served on teams that focused on infectious diseases,
oncology, transplantation, and hemophilia during his 25-year career
at Wyeth (acquired by Pfizer in 2009). He brings to Synthetic
Biologics his expertise in U.S. and global strategy, branding,
clinical development, medical affairs, supply chain, business
development and strategic alliance management. Mr. Barrett was
instrumental in building the brand and led global commercialization
efforts for Wyeth's in-line IV antibiotic, Zosyn®/Tazocin® (the
second IV antibiotic to achieve $1 billion+ in sales), and managed
the U.S. launch of Wyeth's broad-spectrum IV antibiotic,
Tygacil®.
Prior to joining Synthetic Biologics as Senior Vice President,
Commercial Strategy, Mr. Barrett served as an advisor to the
Company since September 2012.
Utilizing his depth of experience in the anti-infective, hospital
and biopharma fields, Mr. Barrett provides strategic consultation
to the global life sciences field with a particular focus on brand
strategy, lifecycle strategy, business development, and strategic
communications through LL Barrett Biopharmaceutical Consulting,
LLC.
Mr. Barrett earned an M.B.A. from Temple
University and a B.S. degree in Biology from Stockton State College.
"We are pleased to welcome Lew to the Synthetic Biologics' team
and expect that his extensive experience in the development and
commercialization of anti-infectives will be vital to the Company
as we develop SYN-004 for the prevention of C. difficile
infections and monoclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of
Pertussis and Acinetobacter infections," stated Jeffrey Riley, Chief Executive Officer at
Synthetic Biologics.
"We recently initiated the manufacturing process for our lead
infectious disease candidate, SYN-004, intended to prevent the
devastating effects of C. difficile infections, for which
there is currently no vaccine or other approved preventive therapy.
We look forward to benefiting from Lew's knowledge and big pharma
experience for our C. difficile program as well as the other
programs in our infectious disease pipeline," concluded Mr.
Riley.
About Synthetic Biologics, Inc.
Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN) is a biotechnology
company focused on the development of biologics for the prevention
and treatment of serious infectious diseases. The Company is
developing an oral enzyme for the prevention of C. difficile
infections, and a series of monoclonal antibody therapies for the
treatment of Pertussis and Acinetobacter infections. In
addition, the Company is developing a drug candidate for the
treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and cognitive
dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. For more information, please
visit Synthetic Biologics' website at
www.syntheticbiologics.com.
To download Synthetic Biologics' investor relations mobile
device app, which allows users access to the Company's SEC
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mobile device.
Zosyn®, Tazocin® and Tygacil® are registered trademarks of
Pfizer or its affiliates.
This release includes forward-looking statements on Synthetic
Biologics' current expectations and projections about future
events. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified
by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue,"
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes,"
"estimates," and similar expressions. These statements are based
upon current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult
to predict and include statements regarding the expected
contribution of Mr. Barrett and the intended effects of our product
candidate. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those reflected in Synthetic Biologics'
forward-looking statements include, among others, a failure to
successfully integrate the new management and other factors
described in Synthetic Biologics' report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2012 and any other
filings with the SEC. The information in this release is provided
only as of the date of this release, and Synthetic Biologics
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements
contained in this release on account of new information, future
events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
SOURCE Synthetic Biologics, Inc.