Horizon Pharma Names John B. Thomas Executive Vice President, Strategy And Investor Relations

DUBLIN, IRELAND--(Marketwired - May 01, 2015) - Horizon Pharma plc (NASDAQ: HZNP), a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated products that address unmet medical needs, today named John B. Thomas executive vice president, strategy and investor relations, reporting directly to Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Thomas will join the Company's Executive Committee and will lead the Company's investor relations function and oversee corporate strategy development.

"John is an accomplished senior executive with deep roots in the biopharmaceutical industry," said Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon Pharma plc. "His extensive experience with the investment community will be invaluable as we continue to accelerate our growth and acquisition strategy."

Thomas is the former vice president of investor relations and public affairs for Abbott, where he counseled the senior executive team on the financial community's expectations regarding major acquisitions, divestitures, strategic partnerships, research and development and ongoing business performance. He is also former president of the Abbott Fund, where he led investment in programs that make lasting changes in people's lives, including access to health care, science education and community-based nutrition and health initiatives.

"I am privileged to join the team of accomplished professionals at Horizon Pharma at such an exciting time in the company's growth," said Thomas. "I welcome the opportunity to advance the investor relations function and demonstrate how Horizon Pharma's philosophy and business approach benefits patients, partners, employees and shareholders."

Prior to joining Abbott, Thomas was manager of corporate communications for Mallinckrodt Veterinary and Budget Rent-A-Car. Before that, he was an award-winning health and education senior editor and staff writer at Meredith Corporation.

Thomas graduated cum laude from The University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in English. He also holds a master's degree in business administration from The Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

About Horizon Pharma plc
Horizon Pharma plc is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated products that address unmet medical needs. The company markets a portfolio of products in arthritis, inflammation and orphan diseases. The company's U.S. marketed products are ACTIMMUNE® (interferon gamma-1b), DUEXIS® (ibuprofen/famotidine), PENNSAID® (diclofenac sodium topical solution) 2% w/w, RAYOS® (prednisone) delayed-release tablets and VIMOVO® (naproxen/esomeprazole magnesium). Horizon's global headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. For more information, please visit www.horizonpharma.com.