ROCKVILLE, Md., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today announced that Kevin P. McRaith has joined the Company as Vice President, Hepatology Franchise. Mr. McRaith, formerly Vice President, Sales & Marketing - Hematology, Genentech Corporation, will report to Barry A. Labinger, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
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“Kevin McRaith brings to HGS a wealth of experience and an established record of accomplishment in the successful commercialization of products in a number of therapeutic areas,” said Mr. Labinger. “I am excited to have Kevin join our senior management team to play a key role in our efforts to build a world class commercial organization. As head of our Hepatology Franchise, Kevin will have responsibility for all marketing and sales activities for Albuferon, including leading our preparation for launch and managing the overall performance of our Albuferon business.”
Mr. McRaith has more than 20 years of experience commercializing therapies for infectious diseases, oncology, neurological diseases and cardiology. As Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Genentech’s Hematology Franchise, he led the commercial efforts for the top-selling biologic, Rituxan (rituximab). Prior to joining Genentech in 2005, Mr. McRaith served with Abbott Laboratories for 15 years, where he held a number of senior positions with responsibility for managing major product franchises, directing marketing and sales activities, and leading a number of successful launches. Before joining Abbott in 1990, he spent several years in sales and promotion with Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Mr. McRaith received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa.
ABOUT HUMAN GENOME SCIENCES
The mission of HGS is to apply great science and great medicine to bring innovative drugs to patients with unmet medical needs.
The HGS clinical development pipeline includes novel drugs to treat hepatitis C, lupus, inhalation anthrax, cancer and other immune-mediated diseases. The Company’s primary focus is rapid progress toward the commercialization of its two key lead drugs, Albuferon(R) (albinterferon alfa-2b) for hepatitis C and LymphoStat-B(R) (belimumab) for lupus. Phase 3 clinical trials of both drugs are ongoing.
ABthrax(TM) (raxibacumab) is in late-stage development for the treatment of inhalation anthrax, and the Company is on track to begin the delivery in fall 2008 of 20,000 doses of ABthrax to the Strategic National Stockpile under a contract entered into with the U.S. Government in June 2006. Other HGS drugs in clinical development include two TRAIL receptor antibodies for the treatment of cancer. HGS1029, a small-molecule antagonist of IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) proteins, is expected to enter Phase 1 clinical trials soon for the treatment of cancer. In addition, HGS has substantial financial rights to three products in the GlaxoSmithKline clinical development pipeline.
For more information about HGS, please visit the Company’s web site at www.hgsi.com. Health professionals and patients interested in clinical trials of HGS products may inquire via e-mail to clinical_trials@hgsi.com or by calling HGS at (301) 610-5790, extension 3550.
HGS, Human Genome Sciences, ABthrax, Albuferon and LymphoStat-B are trademarks of Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements are based on Human Genome Sciences’ current intent, belief and expectations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements because of the Company’s unproven business model, its dependence on new technologies, the uncertainty and timing of clinical trials, the Company’s ability to develop and commercialize products, its dependence on collaborators for services and revenue, its substantial indebtedness and lease obligations, its changing requirements and costs associated with facilities, intense competition, the uncertainty of patent and intellectual property protection, the Company’s dependence on key management and key suppliers, the uncertainty of regulation of products, the impact of future alliances or transactions and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company will continue to face risks related to animal and human testing, to the manufacture of ABthrax and to FDA concurrence that ABthrax meets the requirements of the ABthrax contract. If the Company is unable to meet the product requirements associated with the ABthrax contract, the U.S. government will not be required to reimburse the Company for the costs incurred or to purchase any ABthrax doses, and we will not receive any of the expected revenues relative to ABthrax. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of today’s date. Human Genome Sciences undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
CONTACT: Jerry Parrott, Vice President, Corporate Communications,
+1-301-315-2777, or Kate de Santis, Director, Investor Relations,
+1-301-251-6003, both of Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
Web site: http://www.hgsi.com/
