SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Exelixis, Inc. today announced that Carl B. Feldbaum, president emeritus of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), has been appointed to the company's Board of Directors. Prior to retirement from BIO in 2005, he served as president of that organization which represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions and state biotechnology centers internationally. Prior to joining BIO, Mr. Feldbaum was chief of staff to Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) of Pennsylvania. He also was president and founder of the Palomar Corporation, a national security "think tank" in Washington, D.C. Before founding Palomar Corporation, Mr. Feldbaum was assistant to the Secretary of Energy, and served as the Inspector General for defense intelligence in the U.S. Department of Defense. Mr. Feldbaum received a bachelor's degree in Biology from Princeton University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
"Carl's tenure at BIO has given him an uncommon perspective on the biotechnology industry and its critical role as a pillar of the U.S. and global healthcare systems," said George A. Scangos, president and chief executive officer of Exelixis. "His expertise will be a tremendous asset to Exelixis as we look toward commercializing our diverse portfolio of novel oncology therapies. Carl also has a profound understanding of and appreciation for the complexities of healthcare policy. We believe this knowledge will help us to navigate the dynamic healthcare landscape, enhancing our ability to provide as many patients as possible with access to treatments that may improve their care and outcomes."
"I believe that the scientific, clinical and business acumen that Exelixis has amassed positions the company to meet those challenges and to become a leader in this industry. The company has one of the most promising pipelines in the biopharmaceutical industry, and I look forward to working with senior management and the Board of Directors to realize the value of its clinical and commercial potential," said Mr. Feldbaum. "My years at BIO helped me to understand the challenges involved in commercializing new therapies and building vibrant, sustainable companies."
Mr. Feldbaum's honors include the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, and the Christopher Medal for his book "Looking the Tiger in the Eye: Confronting the Nuclear Threat." The book also was designated by the New York Times as a notable book of the year for 1988. In 2001, at the Annual Biotech Meeting at Laguna Niguel, Feldbaum was elected by 160 Chief Executive Officers to the Biotechnology Hall of Fame.
About Exelixis
Exelixis, Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. The company is leveraging its fully integrated drug discovery platform to fuel the growth of its development pipeline, which is primarily focused on cancer. Currently, Exelixis' broad product pipeline includes investigational compounds in Phase II and Phase I clinical development for cancer and renal disease. Exelixis has established strategic corporate alliances with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Genentech, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Sankyo. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.exelixis.com.
Exelixis, Inc.CONTACT: investors, Charles Butler, Director, Corporate Communications,+1-650-837-7277, or cbutler@exelixis.com, or media Soleil Maxwell Harrison,Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, +1-650-837-7012, orsharrison@exelixis.com, both of Exelixis, Inc.
Web site: http://www.exelixis.com//
