Health & Fitness
Health and Fitness
Health and Fitness
Mon, February 23, 2009 Optimer Pharmaceuticals Appoints Industry Veterans Francois-Xavier Frapaise as Chief Scientific Officer and Peter E. Grebow to
SAN DIEGO--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTR) today announced the appointments of Francois-Xavier Frapaise, M.D., as Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer and Peter E. Grebow, Ph.D., to the company's Board of Directors. Dr. Frapaise will lead all clinical and pre-clinical drug discovery programs, as well as any post-marketing studies. Dr. Grebow brings to the Board of Directors a wealth of experience in worldwide business development, pharmaceutical manufacturing and drug development.
Dr. Frapaise joins Optimer with over thirty years of international drug development, strategic planning and marketing experience at major pharmaceutical companies including Sanofi, Bayer and Abbott. Prior to joining Optimer, Dr. Frapaise was the President and CEO of Asphelia Pharmaceuticals and served as the Chief Medical Officer at Ocera Therapeutics Inc. before Asphelia Pharmaceuticals. From 2001 to 2006 he was the Corporate Officer and Vice President of R&D at TAP Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Frapaise's career also included positions of Vice President Scientific Affairs at Abbott International Division, Head of Medical Affairs at Bayer Europe, Medical Director at Bayer France, Vice President of R&D at Delagrange, Head of Anti-thrombotics Strategic Marketing at Sanofi, and Medical Director at Choay. His development and regulatory experience include anti-infectives, gastroenterology, anti-thrombotics, diabetes, and cardio-vascular products. Dr. Frapaise holds an M.D. degree from Faculte de Medecine Rene Descartes in Paris, France, and is an INSEAD alumnus.
Dr. Grebow has more than twenty-five years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and currently serves as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Technical Operations at Cephalon, Incorporated. Prior to his current position, Dr. Grebow served as the Senior Vice President, Worldwide Business Development and Senior Vice President, Drug Development at Cephalon. Prior to joining Cephalon, he was Vice President, Drug Development for Rorer Central Research; a division of Rhône-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Grebow earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, a Masters of Science in Chemistry from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in Physical Biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
"We are privileged to have Dr. Frapaise and Dr. Grebow join our team," stated Michael N. Chang, Ph.D., President and CEO of Optimer. "Drs. Frapaise and Grebow bring a wealth of relevant pharmaceutical experience in drug development that will be of great value as we progress our product candidates to commercialization."
About Optimer Pharmaceuticals
Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative anti-infective products to treat serious infections and address unmet medical needs. Optimer has two late-stage anti-infective product candidates under development. Fidaxomicin, formerly known as OPT-80, is the only antibiotic therapy currently in Phase 3 worldwide clinical development for Clostridium difficile infection. Prulifloxacin is an antibiotic also in Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of travelers' diarrhea, a form of infectious diarrhea. Additional information can be found at [ http://www.optimerpharma.com ].
Forward-looking Statements
Statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements, including without limitation all statements related to the anticipated development of Optimer's product candidates and the roles of Drs. Frapaise and Grebow at Optimer. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intend," "will," "goal" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Optimer that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Optimer's business including, without limitation, risks relating to: the timing, progress and likelihood of success of its product research and development programs, the timing and status of its preclinical and clinical development of potential drugs and other risks detailed in Optimer's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
