Milan, Italy – January 14, 2008 - Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (“Newron”, SWX: NWRN), a research and development company focused on novel Central Nervous System (CNS) and pain therapies, today announced that it has appointed Dr. Hans-Joachim Lohrisch to its Board as Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.
Dr. Lohrisch was CEO of Altana Pharma AG from 1999 to 2006 and a member of the Board of Management of ALTANA AG, a DAX 30 company, from 1999 to 2006. In the course of the spin-out and take-over of Altana Pharma by Nycomed, he joined the Board of Nycomed SA, a position that he continues to hold. Prior to Altana, Dr. Lohrisch was at Merck KGaA for 21 years in Germany, the UK and Portugal in various management positions including R&D project management, licensing, strategic marketing and general management with international group responsibilities. Dr. Lohrisch’s career in the pharmaceutical industry spans a total of 30 years. He holds a doctorate in Organic Chemistry from Bonn University.
Rolf Stahel, Newron’s chairman, commented: ”We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Lohrisch to Newron. Hans-Joachim’s broad and international experience as well as his strong track record in the pharmaceutical industry will further strengthen Newron’s development towards becoming a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company.”
About Newron Pharmaceuticals
Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (www.newron.com) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel therapies for diseases of the Central Nervous System and pain. Newron is undertaking phase III trials with safinamide for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in conjunction with its partner, Merck Serono, which has exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the compound in PD, Alzheimer´s disease, and other therapeutic applications. Newron is conducting phase II trials with ralfinamide for the treatment of neuropathic and post surgical (dental) pain. A recently completed phase II placebo controlled study in neuropathic pain demonstrated the efficacy of ralfinamide, as well as positive effects on sleep and the ability to perform daily activities. The drug was well tolerated, with side effects comparable to placebo. A phase II study with ralfinamide is ongoing in post surgical (dental) pain.
Newron´s clinical pipeline is supported by a portfolio of early-stage proprietary compounds generated by its ion channel drug discovery platform. Newron is headquartered in Bresso, near Milan, Italy. The company is listed at SWX Swiss Exchange, trading symbol NWRN.
