Neuropharm Group plc (AIM: NPH), a speciality pharmaceutical company focused on the development of medicines for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, is pleased to announce the US appointment of Bob Prachar, a highly experienced pharmaceutical executive, as President US Operations. Bob will report directly to Neuropharm’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Mansfield.
Bob’s appointment marks an important step in Neuropharm’s strategy of developing a specialised sales and marketing team in the US ahead of the US launch of NPL-2008, the Company’s novel autism treatment, which is on track for regulatory filing in the US in Q4 2008.
Bob has more than 17 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has held management positions at companies including Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories and Merck & Co. Prior to joining Neuropharm he was Head of Worldwide Immunology New Business Development, and a Management Board member, at Centocor Inc, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary.
Bob has significant experience of new product launches, sales and marketing. For four years he was Vice President of Centocor’s rheumatology franchise, where he was responsible for the US sales and marketing of REMICADE®, a biologic agent targeting immunology conditions. Under his leadership, the franchise doubled sales to $1.6 billion per annum.
Neuropharm intends to open an East Coast office during 2008. The Company is able to adopt the strategy of selling NPL-2008 itself in the US because the product will be promoted to the US network of autism specialists.
Commenting on this announcement, Robert Mansfield, Neuropharm’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted to welcome Bob to Neuropharm and to the new role of President US Operations. His appointment is a key step in the delivery of our strategy in the US, where we intend to market our products, once approved, through our own sales force.
“It is a reflection of the importance of our lead programme in autism that we have been able to attract an executive of Bob’s calibre and experience to lead our US presence. We look forward to working with him.”
Bob Prachar, Neuropharm’s President US Operations, added: “I’m tremendously excited to join the team at Neuropharm and to have the opportunity to launch and market NPL-2008 in the US. Autism is a complex condition with increasing diagnosis rates and high unmet need. I’m passionate about offering new hope to this community and believe NPL-2008 has the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of autism patients, their families and caregivers. Through our commitment to making a difference, we expect to deliver significant commercial value and build a leading presence in neurodevelopmental disorders.”
For further information please contact:
Neuropharm + 44 (0) 1372 371 171 Robert Mansfield, Chief Executive Officer Graham Yeatman, Chief Financial Officer
Investec Bank (UK) Limited + 44 (0) 20 7597 5970 Patrick Robb, Gary Clarence
Buchanan Communications + 44 (0) 20 7466 5000 Mark Court, Mary-Jane Johnson, Catherine Breen
Notes to Editors:
About Neuropharm Neuropharm is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of medicines for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Please visit www.neuropharm.co.uk for further information.
