TAMPA, Fla., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Founded with a mission to protect and preserve the gift of sight, executives from the newly created Sirion Therapeutics, Inc. unveiled their new company today. The announcement was made by co-founders Barry Butler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Roger Vogel, MD, Chief Medical Officer; Susan Benton, Chief Commercial Officer; and Philippe Boulangeat, Chief Business Officer.
“Our purpose is to announce the formation of this company and to articulate our mission,” said Butler. “Sirion Therapeutics will provide healthcare professionals and patients who suffer from eye diseases and conditions with superior products to protect and preserve eyesight.”
The National Eye Institute estimates that over 1 million Americans aged 40 and over are currently blind and an additional 2.4 million are visually impaired. These numbers are expected to double over the next 30 years as the baby boomer generation ages.
Butler went on to say: “I’m excited about the management team we have assembled. This is a team that understands how to identify innovative ophthalmic technologies, bring those technologies through the regulatory process, and place them in the hands of patients and medical professionals. We are actively seeking compounds and product candidates from around the world that are currently, or soon to be, in clinical development.”
Sirion Therapeutics will address the unmet needs of the eye care market by focusing on the development and commercialization of in-licensed products. The company will maximize new product opportunities by leveraging past experience and proven skill in developing and launching ophthalmic products. Core competencies include preclinical and clinical trial design and development strategies; navigation through the ophthalmic regulatory process, comprehensive knowledge of ophthalmic market needs; sales force deployment; and the ability to launch products successfully within the industry to drive capital-efficient growth.
Initial financial support for Sirion Therapeutics is being provided by NovaQuest, the strategic partnering group of Quintiles Transnational Corp., based near Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
“The NovaQuest team provided critical expertise and guidance in helping us launch Sirion and position the company for future success,” said Butler. “They have been and will remain a very valuable partner as we continue to grow.”
About Sirion Therapeutics
Sirion Therapeutics is a Tampa, FL-based company dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative ophthalmic products. For more information, visit http://www.siriontherapeutics.com .
About NovaQuest and Quintiles Transnational
NovaQuest, the strategic partnering group of Quintiles Transnational Corp., is dedicated to generating alternative growth strategies for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies by offering them a better business approach to derive the most value from their product portfolios.
Quintiles Transnational is the global leader in pharmaceutical services. We improve healthcare worldwide by providing innovative, quality professional expertise, market intelligence and partnering solutions to meet the dynamic needs of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare industries. Quintiles has 16,000 specialized employees and offices in 50 countries. For more information visit the company’s Web site at http://www.quintiles.com .
Sirion Therapeutics, Inc.
CONTACT: Penny Cobb, Sirion Therapeutics, +1-813-496-7325, ext. 221
