SAN DIEGO, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Ocera Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on the licensing, development and commercialization of proprietary clinical candidates to treat a broad range of gastrointestinal and liver diseases, announced today that Xavier Frapaise, M.D., will join the company as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Frapaise joins Ocera from TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Inc., where he held the position of Corporate Officer, and Vice-President, R&D. Dr. Frapaise has extensive experience in managing and driving regulatory affairs, clinical and pre-clinical development, clinical operations and other key strategic functions.
“We are thrilled to have Xavier join our team,” stated Laurent Fischer, M.D., President and CEO of Ocera Therapeutics. “Xavier brings a wealth of experience adding to our talent in the clinical and regulatory operations at Ocera. We are pleased to have Dr. Frapaise as a CMO representing our company to the business and scientific communities as we continue to grow and build a solid foundation in the industry.”
“We are delighted to welcome Xavier to the management of Ocera,” added Eckard Weber, M.D., Partner at Domain Associates, Co-founder of Ocera and Chairman of the Board. “Xavier possesses a balance of technical and scientific knowledge as well as operational experience. His contribution to the management team will be significant.”
Dr. Frapaise is a physician by training and graduated from the Rene Descartes Medical School in Paris, France. After spending time at the Institute of Hematology in Versailles, France, he started his career in the pharmaceutical industry and has held multiple management positions at organizations including Laboratoire Choay (France), Sanofi International (France), Delagrange (France), Bayer Pharma (France and Europe), Abbott International (United States) and TAP Pharmaceuticals. His experience spans from pre-clinical and clinical drug development to project management, medical affairs and strategic marketing.
“I am excited to join such a talented team and to be given the opportunity to develop a compound which seems to have blockbuster potential,” stated Dr. Frapaise. “I am looking forward to helping the team successfully build Ocera Therapeutics.”
About Ocera Therapeutics, Inc.
Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on the licensing, development and commercialization of proprietary clinical candidates to treat a broad range of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Ocera Therapeutics was founded in 2005 by Laurent Fischer, M.D., Eckard Weber, M.D. and Domain Associates, LLC and is financed by Domain Associates and Thomas McNerney & Partners.
Ocera has in-licensed AST-120 from Kureha Corporation in Japan in 2005, and is engaged in the development of the compound in Crohn’s Disease, and potential other gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Additional information on the Company can be found at www.oceratherapeutics.com.
Ocera Therapeutics, Inc.
CONTACT: Melissa Hill of Porter Novelli Life Sciences, +1-858-527-3482,mhill@pnlifesciences.com, for Ocera Therapeutics, Inc.; or Laurent Fischer,M.D., of Ocera Therapeutics, Inc., +1-858-436-3900, lfischer@ocerainc.com
Web site: http://www.oceratherapeutics.com/
