HOUSTON, March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the appointment of Thierry A. Plouvier, M.D., as Vice President, European Operations, a new position within the Company. Dr. Plouvier will oversee operations in the European Union, including sales and marketing, and headquarters’ functions, in support of the anticipated European launch of sitaxsentan sodium (Thelin(TM)) in 2006. He will report to George W. Cole, Encysive’s Chief Operating Officer.
Dr. Plouvier brings more than two decades of pharmaceutical experience to Encysive. He joins the Company from Organon SA, the French subsidiary of Dutch pharmaceutical company Organon, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Thierry’s solid understanding of the European pharmaceutical industry, and wealth of international sales, marketing and operational experience will be invaluable to Encysive’s preparations for the anticipated launch of sitaxsentan sodium (Thelin) in Europe,” commented Mr. Cole. “He is a key addition to our management team, and his guidance will help build a strong European presence.”
Dr. Plouvier received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Paris VII and an M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Before joining Organon SA, he gained additional international experience in management positions with SmithKline Beecham Biologicals, Genentech Europe and Eli Lilly International Corporation.
About Encysive Pharmaceuticals
Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel, synthetic, small molecule compounds to address unmet medical needs. Our research and development programs are predominantly focused on the treatment and prevention of interrelated diseases of the vascular endothelium and exploit our expertise in the area of the intravascular inflammatory process, referred to as the inflammatory cascade, and vascular diseases. We have successfully developed one U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug, Argatroban, for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia that is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. A New Drug Application for our lead drug candidate Thelin(TM) (sitaxsentan sodium), an endothelin A receptor antagonist for the treatment of PAH, is now under active review by the Cardio-Renal Division of the FDA. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) is currently reviewing a Marketing Authorization Application for approval of sitaxsentan sodium (Thelin) within the European Union. In addition, we have an earlier stage clinical product candidate in development, TBC3711, a next generation endothelin receptor antagonist. To learn more about Encysive Pharmaceuticals please visit our web site: http://www.encysive.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements with respect to: prospects for regulatory approval of Thelin by the FDA, EMEA and other regulatory authorities and the anticipated commercial launch of Thelin; and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “potential,” “plan,” “believe” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: unexpected delays in regulatory approval of Thelin (sitaxsentan sodium) and Encysive’s other products under development; the results of clinical trials with respect to products under development; the availability of sufficient funds to continue research and development efforts and the commercialization of Thelin and Encysive’s other products; the impact of competitive products; the breadth of approved labels for approved products; reduced estimates of patient populations; reimbursement policies and governmental regulation of prices; the scope of Encysive’s patents and challenges by others of the scope of Encysive’s patents; the ability of Encysive to attract and retain qualified personnel; as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing Encysive such as those set forth in its reports on Form 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward- looking statements. Furthermore, Encysive does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion.
Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Investors, Ann Tanabe, VP, Investor Relations and CorporateCommunications, Encysive Pharmaceuticals, +1-713-796-8822, or MarcyStrickler of The Trout Group, +1-212-477-9007, ext. 27, or Media: DanBudwick, BMC Communications, +1-212-477-9007, ext. 14
Web site: http://www.encysive.com/
