SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NeurogesX, Inc. , a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies, today announced the appointment of John A. Orwin to its Board of Directors, effective November 19, 2009. Mr. Orwin is a 20-year sales and marketing veteran in the biopharmaceutical industry and has been instrumental in the launch of several important therapeutics.
From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Orwin achieved increasing responsibility at Johnson & Johnson, up to Franchise Vice President, Oncology Franchise at Tibotec Therapeutics, a division of Centocor Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. His previous experience includes the positions of Senior Director, Oncology Marketing at Alza Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Johnson & Johnson); Vice President, Marketing at Sangstat Medical Corporation; Marketing Director, Asthma at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals; and Product Manager, Schering Oncology/Biotech at Schering-Plough Corporation. He led the successful launch of Taxotere in the United States while at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer and Thymoglobulin for Sangstat Medical Corporation.
Mr. Orwin said, “Launching a new product creates a significant growth opportunity, and Qutenza has great potential to deliver substantial value to patients, physicians and NeurogesX. The board and management team have executed an impressive clinical and regulatory strategy for Qutenza on par with biopharmaceutical industry leaders. I look forward to joining the board and advising on the commercial infrastructure and upcoming launch.”
The Company’s lead product, Qutenza(TM) (capsaicin) 8% patch, is a dermal delivery system containing a prescription strength of capsaicin that is currently approved in the United States and the European Union. NeurogesX expects to launch Qutenza in United States in the first half of 2010 for patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). In Europe, Qutenza will be marketed by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., (Astellas), the European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc.
The Company’s early stage product pipeline includes pre-clinical compounds which are prodrugs of acetaminophen and various opioids. The Company has evaluated these compounds in vitro and in vivo.
CONTACT: Stephen Ghiglieri of NeurogesX, Inc., Chief Financial Officer,
+1-650-358-3310, or Sara Pellegrino (investors), +1-646-536-7002,
spellegrino@theruthgroup.com or Jason Rando (media), +1-646-536-7025,
jrando@theruthgroup.com, both of The Ruth Group
Web site: http://www.neurogesx.com/
