Ikaria Inc. CEO Daniel Tasse Elected to Health Section of Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)'s Board of Directors

HAMPTON, N.J., June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ikaria, Inc., a critical care company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for critically ill patients in the hospital and ICU settings, today announced that its Chairman and CEO Daniel Tasse has been elected to the Health section of the Biotechnology Industry Organization's (BIO) Board of Directors.

BIO is the world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 1,100 members worldwide. The Health Section develops policy positions that promote biomedical innovation and represent the best interests of BIO member companies with a direct interest in human health. Among the priority issues on which the Health Section focuses are matters affecting the healthcare-related regulatory and reimbursement climate, pandemic and biodefense preparedness, publicly-funded scientific research, and personalized medicine. The Health Section is managed by a Section governing body and recommends members to sit on BIO's Board of Directors.

Mr. Tasse brings to this position an extensive track record in the healthcare industry with a wealth of knowledge and passion for critical care, in particular.

"I'm delighted to have been elected to this prestigious group of industry veterans," said Mr. Tasse. "Each of us is able to contribute our own unique knowledge, insights and experience to help the board continue to provide guidance to BIO as it relates to important policy issues in our industry."

Prior to joining Ikaria, Mr. Tasse served as General Manager of the Pharmaceutical Technologies Business Unit of Baxter International. Earlier in his career, Mr. Tasse held a number of Senior Management positions at GlaxoSmithKline, including that of Vice President and Regional Director for AustralAsia. He earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Montreal.

About Ikaria Inc.

Ikaria, Inc. is a critical care company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies designed to address the significant needs of critically ill patients in the hospital and ICU settings. The company's lead product is INOMAX® (nitric oxide) for inhalation, the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of hypoxic respiratory failure associated with pulmonary hypertension in term and near-term infants. It is offered through the INOMAX therapy package, an all-inclusive offering of drug product, drug-delivery system, on-site training and 24/7/365 technical assistance and support. The INOMAX therapy package also is marketed in Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Japan. The company is pursuing a number of new indications with INOMAX. Ikaria's late stage pipeline is also comprised of LUCASSIN® (terlipressin), a potential treatment for hepatorenal syndrome Type 1; as well as IK-5001, a potential treatment for preventing cardiac remodeling and subsequent congestive heart failure following acute myocardial infarction. The company also has a number of investigational compounds in development. Ikaria is headquartered in Hampton, NJ, with research facilities in Seattle, WA and Madison, WI, and manufacturing facilities in Port Allen, LA and Madison, WI. Please visit www.ikaria.com.

SOURCE Ikaria, Inc.