Ikaria Inc. CEO Daniel Tasse Elected to Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Board of Directors

HAMPTON, N.J., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ikaria, Inc., a critical care company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for critically ill patients in the hospital and ICU settings, today announced that its Chairman and CEO Daniel Tasse has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., PhRMA represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives.

In addition to his membership on the 31-person board, Mr. Tasse will serve on the PhRMA Rare Disease and Emerging Company Committees. Mr. Tasse brings to these positions an extensive track record in the healthcare industry with a wealth of knowledge and passion for critical care, in particular.

“I’m honored to join this prestigious group of industry leaders and innovators,” said Mr. Tasse. “Through my new position on PhRMA’s Board of Directors, I look forward to helping to move forward policies that will advance the pharmaceutical industry and continue to benefit patients during this important time for our industry and our economy.”

Mr. Tasse also is a member of the Board of Directors and Health Section Governing Board of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), where he participates on the bioethics, regulatory environment and reimbursement committees. Additionally, heis a member of the Healthcare Leadership Council and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Roundtable on Critical Care Policy.

Prior to joining Ikaria, Mr. Tasse served as General Manager of the Pharmaceutical Technologies Business Unit of Baxter International. Earlier in his career, Mr. Tasse held a number of Senior Management positions at GlaxoSmithKline, including that of Vice President and Regional Director for AustralAsia. He earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Montreal.

About Ikaria Inc.

Ikaria, Inc. is a critical care company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies designed to address the significant needs of critically ill patients in the hospital and ICU settings. The company’s lead product is INOMAX® (nitric oxide) for inhalation, the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of hypoxic respiratory failure associated with pulmonary hypertension in term and near-term infants. It is offered through the INOMAX therapy package, an all-inclusive offering of drug product, drug-delivery system, on-site training and 24/7/365 technical assistance and support. The INOMAX therapy package also is marketed in Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Japan. The company is pursuing a number of new indications with INOMAX. Ikaria’s late stage pipeline is also comprised of LUCASSIN® (terlipressin), a potential treatment for hepatorenal syndrome Type 1; as well as IK-5001, a potential treatment for preventing cardiac remodeling and subsequent congestive heart failure following acute myocardial infarction. Ikaria is headquartered in Hampton, NJ, with research facilities in Seattle, WA and Madison, WI, and manufacturing facilities in Port Allen, LA and Madison, WI. Please visit www.ikaria.com.

SOURCE Ikaria, Inc.