MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the appointment of Alan Petro to the newly created position of Vice President, Manufacturing and Technical Operations. In his new role, Mr. Petro will lead the company’s efforts in the area of product/process development and manufacturing in order to prepare for the potential commercialization of the company’s lead product candidate, LEVADEX(TM) orally inhaled migraine therapy. Mr. Petro will report to Timothy S. Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
“Al’s ability to oversee clinical and commercial scale product development processes, as well as his experience in implementing manufacturing infrastructures that meet regulatory and commercial needs make him an ideal addition to our team as we move towards our goal of commercializing LEVADEX,” said Timothy S. Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of MAP Pharmaceuticals.
About MAP Pharmaceuticals
Additional information about MAP Pharmaceuticals can be found at http://www.mappharma.com.
LEVADEX orally inhaled migraine therapy is a novel migraine therapy in Phase 3 development. Patients administer LEVADEX themselves using the company’s proprietary TEMPO(R) inhaler. In the Phase 3 FREEDOM-301 trial, LEVADEX met all four co-primary endpoints at two hours: pain relief (p<0.0001); phonophobia free (p<0.0001); photophobia free (p<0.0001); and nausea free (p=0.02). Data from this Phase 3 trial show the potential for LEVADEX to be effective in treating acute migraine as well as a broad spectrum of migraine subpopulations that are often difficult to treat with current therapies including triptans. For example in this trial, patients with allodynia, menstrual migraine, migraine with nausea and vomiting, severe migraine and those treating late in their migraine cycle responded well to LEVADEX.
LEVADEX is designed to incorporate the multiple beneficial mechanisms of action that allow DHE to block initiation of migraine, limit pain, reduce inflammation and stop a migraine at any point in the migraine cycle. Based on research to date, including the efficacy portion of the FREEDOM-301 trial, the company believes the unique pharmacokinetic profile of LEVADEX has the potential to effectively treat migraines, while minimizing the side effects commonly seen with DHE and other currently available medicines.
In addition to statements of historical facts or statements of current conditions, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including with respect to MAP Pharmaceuticals’ LEVADEX product candidate. Actual results may differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting the company’s business, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the failure to achieve favorable clinical outcomes and to have the company’s LEVADEX product candidate approved for commercial use. The reader is cautioned not to unduly rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. MAP Pharmaceuticals expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Additional information on potential factors that could affect MAP Pharmaceuticals’ results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, available at http://edgar.sec.gov.
MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
