Tris Pharma, Inc. Appoints New Vice President of Business Development

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tris Pharma, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative drug delivery technologies, announced the appointment of Jonathan Berlent as Vice President of Business Development.  He will lead Tris' product and technology partnering, and collaborate with branded pharmaceutical companies on their life cycle management opportunities. 

"As Tris scales up its effort to address the growing unmet need in the industry for liquid extended release technology, Jonathan will lead business development efforts and be our point person with branded pharmaceutical companies," said Ketan Mehta, President and CEO of Tris Pharma.  "With Jonathan leading business development, Peter Ciano will focus on strategy and corporate development activities including acquisitions."

"Tris is a pioneer in commercializing unique, sustained release formulations such as oral liquid suspensions, orally disintegrating tablets and chewable tablets that do not require patients to swallow a pill," said Berlent. "I am truly excited to be part of the Tris management team and look forward to leading business development efforts."

Jonathan brings to Tris a combination of pharmaceutical and securities industry experience.  For the past nine years, he has held various senior leadership positions in the pharmaceutical industry.  Most recently, he was President of Granules USA, Inc., where he led its North American operations and successfully launched a finished dosage business platform working with such companies as Pfizer, Novartis, McNeil Consumer Health Janssen, GlaxoSmithKline, Par and Perrigo.  He began his career in the capital markets at Bank of America.  He is an alumnus of the University of Michigan and has an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business, where he majored in finance and management.

About Tris Pharma:

Tris Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of technologies driven products. Tris has pioneered the delivery of sustained release in the liquid, chewable/ODT and strip dosage forms so patients do not have to swallow a pill. Tris' Nobuse technology provides abuse deterrence for opioids and other abuse-prone drugs. Tris' R&D and manufacturing facilities are located in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, U.S.A.

For more information, please visit http://www.trispharma.com.

SOURCE Tris Pharma