DUBLIN, Sept. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) today announced the
appointment of two new independent directors, Richard Gaynor, M.D. and Frank Anders (Andy) Wilson, to the company's
Board of Directors. The company also announced the retirement of
Floyd Bloom, M.D., a pioneer in the
field of neuroscience who contributed immensely to the legacy of
innovation and scientific excellence that remains core to Alkermes'
mission today.
Dr. Gaynor, who currently serves as the President of Research
& Development at Neon Therapeutics, brings 18 years of
experience in oncology-focused industrial drug development in
addition to a distinguished career in academic medicine. He is
board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and
hematology.
Mr. Wilson, who most recently served as Chief Financial Officer
of PerkinElmer, Inc., brings 30 years of financial expertise and
experience in strategic planning and business development for
global public companies.
"As industry veterans with deep and broad experience, Richard
and Andy are ideally suited to provide valuable insights and
thoughtful leadership at this stage of Alkermes' evolution. Their
respective expertise in oncology and strategic value creation will
be important assets as we focus on execution and prepare for our
next phase of growth," said Richard Pops, Chief Executive Officer
of Alkermes. "The appointment of these new Board members
is reflective of our commitment to maintaining a robust Board of
Directors with expertise that is aligned with our expanding and
evolving strategic priorities."
"I am delighted to join Alkermes' Board of Directors at a time
when the company is advancing new research and establishing its
presence at the forefront of immuno-oncology research," said Dr.
Gaynor. "I look forward to offering my insights and applying the
experience I have gained throughout my career in this rapidly
evolving space as Alkermes advances its efforts to develop novel
treatments that address areas of unmet patient need in
oncology."
"As Alkermes continues to evolve, there is a unique opportunity
to build on the company's current platform and drive growth while
furthering the organization's mission to advance innovative
medicines," said Mr. Wilson. "I am pleased to have the opportunity
to draw on my experience as a chief financial officer, and other
senior leadership positions, to strategically support and guide
Alkermes' leadership team as the company approaches its next phase
of growth."
The company today also announced the retirement of Floyd Bloom, M.D. from the company's Board
of Directors. Dr. Bloom is a founder of Alkermes, Inc. and has
served on the Alkermes plc Board of Directors since 2011. Prior to
that, Dr. Bloom had served on the Alkermes, Inc. Board of Directors
since 1987.
"A researcher who dedicated his life to revolutionizing the way
brain disorders are treated, Floyd's contributions to scientific
research and medicine are immeasurable," said Mr. Pops.
"Personally, and on behalf of the company that he founded, I would
like to thank Floyd for his unwavering dedication and distinguished
service to Alkermes. I am grateful for his counsel and leadership,
and confident that his work will have a lasting impact on this
organization for many years to come."
About Richard Gaynor,
M.D.
Dr. Gaynor joined Neon Therapeutics in 2016 as its
President of Research and Development. Prior to joining Neon, he
began his industry career at Eli Lilly and Company, where he spent
15 years in clinical development and medical affairs roles,
including as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and
Medical Affairs of Lilly Oncology from 2013 until his departure in
2016. During his time at Lilly, Dr. Gaynor chaired the Lilly
Oncology Research and Development Committee and helped oversee
various collaborations, including with GE, AstraZeneca and
Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Dr. Gaynor started his career in academia, initially serving on
the faculty at UCLA School of Medicine for nine years, followed by
11 years at the University of Texas
Southwestern Medical School, during which he spent time as the
Chief of Hematology-Oncology and Director of the Simmons Cancer
Center. Dr. Gaynor holds an M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and
completed fellowship training in hematology-oncology at the UCLA
School of Medicine.
About Frank Anders
Wilson
As the former Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice President of PerkinElmer, Inc., a life sciences
diagnostics, discovery and analytical solutions company, Mr. Wilson
oversaw the organization's growth strategy from 2009 until his
retirement in 2018. Prior to joining PerkinElmer, Inc., Mr. Wilson
held key business development and finance roles over 12 years at
Danaher Corporation, a global science and technology conglomerate,
including Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations. Prior to
Danaher, Mr. Wilson worked for several years at AlliedSignal, Inc.,
now Honeywell International Inc., where he served as Vice President
of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the Commercial Avionics
Systems division. Prior to AlliedSignal, Mr. Wilson's work included
financial and controllership positions of increasing responsibility
at PepsiCo, Inc., as well as roles at E.F. Hutton and Company, and
KPMG Peat Marwick. Mr. Wilson is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Wilson has served as a member of the Board of Directors of
Cabot Corporation, a public global specialty chemicals and
performance materials company, since 2018. From 2015 to 2019, he
was also a member of the Board of Directors of Sparton Corporation
where he served as Chairman of the Board for a period of time.
Sparton Corporation was a formerly independent public company that
designed and manufactured complex electromechanical
devices.
About Alkermes
Alkermes plc is a fully
integrated, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative
medicines for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS)
diseases and oncology. The company has a diversified commercial
product portfolio and a substantial clinical pipeline of product
candidates for chronic diseases that include schizophrenia,
depression, addiction, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Headquartered
in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc
has an R&D center in Waltham,
Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in
Athlone, Ireland; and a
manufacturing facility in Wilmington,
Ohio. For more information, please visit Alkermes' website
at www.alkermes.com.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain
statements set forth in this press release constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including,
but not limited to, statements concerning the company's future
growth; financial and operating performance; business plans,
strategic priorities and prospects, including the expansion of the
company's presence in immuno-oncology; and the potential
therapeutic, clinical and commercial value of the company's
investigational and commercial products. The company cautions that
forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Although the
company believes that such statements are based on reasonable
assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and
operations, the forward-looking statements are neither promises nor
guarantees and they are necessarily subject to a high degree of
uncertainty and risk. Actual performance and results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking
statements due to various risks and uncertainties, including those
risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors"
in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Dec. 31, 2018 and in subsequent
filings made by the company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), which are available on the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the
company disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or
revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press
release.
Alkermes
Contacts:
|
|
For
Investors:
|
Sandy Coombs +1 781
609 6377
|
For Media:
|
Matthew Henson +1 781
609 6637
|
Logo -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/616416/Alkermes_plc_Logo.jpg