AEterna Zentaris Bolsters Management Team with Two Key Positions Named
May 07 2007 - 8:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
- SVP, Business Operations and Chief Business Officer - SVP,
Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance QUEBEC CITY, May 7
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc. (TSX: AEZ; NASDAQ:
AEZS), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine
therapy and oncology, today announced the filling of two key
management positions, strengthening the existing management team.
The Company named Ellen McDonald, MBA, Senior Vice President,
Business Operations and Chief Business Officer as well as Nicholas
J. Pelliccione, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
and Quality Assurance. "We have reached a critical inflection point
in the evolution of the Company and the high-level expertise that
Ellen and Nick bring to the team will prove to be invaluable. Ellen
brings proven leadership and business acumen and we will benefit
tremendously from her contributions from a strategic and
operational standpoint. We will clearly utilize her vast marketing
and commercialization experience preparing the groundwork for
pre-launch and pre-marketing activities for cetrorelix in BPH,"
stated David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer
of AEterna Zentaris. "Nick's strong regulatory and drug development
expertise is essential as we advance our Phase 3 program for
cetrorelix in BPH, preparing for the expected filing of an NDA in
2009. His expertise will also be pivotal in advancing additional
priority compounds through the pipeline into later-stage
development and eventual registration." Ellen McDonald has 18 years
experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. She is a proven
executive with broad technical and managerial skills. Ms. McDonald
joins the Company from Chugai Pharma USA where she was the Senior
Vice President, Business Operations and led all company business
operations with specific responsibility and focus on Business
Development, Strategic Alliances, Marketing, and Corporate
Planning. Prior to her position at Chugai, Ms. McDonald was Senior
Vice President, Cardiovascular Marketing and Medical at Bristol
Myers Squibb and held positions with increasing responsibility at
Johnson and Johnson, Inc. where, prior to leaving, she was the Vice
President, Oncology Franchise of Ortho Biotech Inc. Ms. McDonald
holds a B.S. in General Engineering with a minor in International
Relations from the United States Military Academy, West Point New
York and an MBA, Executive Program from Columbia University, New
York. Dr. Pelliccione has demonstrated the ability to be a
multi-faceted leader in the areas of global Regulatory Affairs,
Quality Assurance and Pharmaceutical Development for more than 20
years. In previous roles, Dr. Pelliccione has been responsible for
the clinical/preclinical and CMC regulatory aspects of new drugs in
the oncology, anti-infectives, cytokines and cardiovascular therapy
areas, leading to several approvals. He joins the Company from
Chugai Pharma USA where he served as Senior Vice President,
Regulatory and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Prior to his experience at
Chugai, Dr. Pelliccione spent more than 15 years at Schering Plough
Corporation holding positions with increasing responsibility from
Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Oncology to, prior to his departure,
Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs, Chemistry, Manufacturing
and Controls. Dr. Pelliccione holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York and a BS in Chemistry from
Polytechnic University. About AEterna Zentaris Inc. AEterna
Zentaris Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on
endocrine therapy and oncology with proven expertise in drug
discovery, development and commercialization. News releases and
additional information are available at
http://www.aeternazentaris.com/. Forward-Looking Statements This
press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including
statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words
"believes", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "expects",
"estimates", "will," "may", "should", "approximately", and the
negative or other variations of those terms or comparable
terminology, are forward-looking statements. Such statements
reflect management's current views, intentions, strategies and
plans and are based on certain assumptions. Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which
could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and
uncertainties include, among others, the ability of AEterna
Zentaris to implement its business strategies, the availability of
funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and
timely completion of clinical studies, the ability of AEterna
Zentaris to take advantage of business opportunities in the
pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory
process and general changes in economic conditions. Investors
should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the
Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information
on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking
statements. Investors are cautioned not to rely on these
forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to
update these forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: AETERNA
ZENTARIS INC. CONTACT: Media Relations: Paul Burroughs, (418)
652-8525, ext. 406, ; Senior Director, Investor Relations and
Corporate Communications: Jenene Thomas, (418) 655-6420,
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