Kendle International Appoints Thomas B. Smith, MD to Lead Global Medical Affairs Organization

CINCINNATI, July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kendle , a leading, global full-service clinical research organization, today announced the appointment of Thomas B. Smith, MD, as Vice President, Medical Affairs. Dr. Smith will develop and lead the company’s new global Medical Affairs organization, which will enhance delivery of Phase II-IV services to customers worldwide. This dedicated team of Medical Directors will play a multifaceted role, serving as medical and therapeutic advisors to customers in such areas as protocol design, endpoint selection and inclusion/exclusion criteria, providing a committed resource across the clinical development process to build efficiencies and maximize pull-through opportunities as a compound progresses through study and its lifecycle. Dr. Smith most recently was Global Medical Director for Kendle responsible for providing strategic medical and therapeutic leadership to clinical development projects with a particular emphasis in the Central Nervous System (CNS) therapeutic area.

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“This move further positions Kendle as a strategic partner for our customers across the clinical development process as they focus on maximizing the therapeutic potential for their compounds,” said Candace Kendle, PharmD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “With an increasing focus on novel drugs like TNF blockers and the multiple therapeutic possibilities these proteins bring, Kendle’s Medical Affairs organization will provide a competitive advantage by offering expertise across the full therapeutic spectrum. We are thrilled to have someone of Dr. Smith’s caliber to lead the growth of this valuable resource within Kendle.”

Dr. Smith joined Kendle following nearly 20 years in clinical practice and the pharmaceutical industry, including positions as Senior Director, Clinical Research and Development, Akros Pharma Inc.; Medical Director, Global Research and Development, Genzyme Corporation; and Associate Medical Director, Neuroscience Global Pharmaceuticals Research and Development, Abbott Laboratories. His background includes working across all phases of drug development and numerous disease states, with significant expertise in CNS, renal and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Smith earned a medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University. He is a member of numerous medical and scientific societies, including the American Medical Association. A widely-published author, Dr. Smith also has delivered more than 150 scientific presentations. He will be based in Philadelphia and will report directly to Dr. Kendle.

Kendle’s Medical Affairs organization, staffed by pharmaceutical- and CRO- experienced physicians, will provide a dedicated resource for customers throughout the drug development lifecycle, from program development to feasibility analyses and site identification through post marketing surveillance and adverse event management. The group will provide important therapeutic training to ensure expert Kendle teams aligned with customer needs.

About Kendle

Kendle International Inc. is among the world’s leading global clinical research organizations and is the fourth-largest provider of Phase II-IV clinical development services worldwide. We deliver innovative and robust clinical development solutions -- from first-in-human studies through market launch and surveillance -- to help the world’s biopharmaceutical companies maximize product life cycles and grow market share.

Our global clinical development business is focused on five regions -- North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Africa -- to meet customer needs. With the expertise of our more than 3,000 associates worldwide, Kendle has conducted clinical trials and provided regulatory and pharmacovigilance services in more than 80 countries. Additional information and investor kits are available upon request from Kendle, 441 Vine Street, Suite 1200, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or from the Company’s Web site at http://www.kendle.com.

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CONTACT: Media, Lori Dorer, +1-513-345-1685; or Investors, Patty Frank,+1-513-763-1992, both of Kendle International Inc.

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