- Regina Paglia joins as Senior Vice President of Human Resources
- Stephen Villano, M.D., joins as Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs
BOSTON, Oct. 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:PRTK) has expanded its senior leadership team with two new hires. The company announced today that Regina Paglia has joined as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Stephen Villano, M.D. has joined as Vice President, Clinical and Medical Affairs. Ms. Paglia will be based in Paratek’s Boston headquarters. Dr. Villano will be based out of the company’s Philadelphia office. Paratek is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies based upon tetracycline chemistry. It’s lead compound, omadacycline, is in Phase 3 development.
“As we move towards the potential launch of omadacycline, Regina’s leadership and expertise will be essential to ensuring we are bringing the right talent on board and that we are managing our talent as effectively as possible while continuing to build a culture that enables individual and team success,” said Michael Bigham, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Paratek. “At the same time, Stephen’s leadership will be critical as we work to establish the potential role of omadacycline as the antibiotic of choice for serious community acquired bacterial infections, particularly where resistance is a concern.”
Regina Paglia
Ms. Paglia previously held the position of Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Myriant Corporation, a Bio-Chemical Company, where she led initiatives aimed at creating an optimal corporate culture for employee recruitment and retention, such as reward systems, benefits, professional development and other policies. In this capacity, Ms. Paglia also designed and introduced a branded Mission and Core Values initiative for the newly appointed CEO to define organizational direction and enhance employee engagement. Prior to her experience at Myriant, Ms. Paglia served as Vice President, Human Resources for Mascoma Corporation, a Bio-Energy organization. In this role, she focused on strategies to optimize corporate culture and organizational effectiveness, led the CEO search and was responsible for facilitating a successful transition. Ms. Paglia was also Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Sepracor Pharmaceutical, Inc., now Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, where she led HR Organizational initiatives to scale-up for commercialization. Among her many responsibilities, she crafted strategy for four national sales force expansions to source and hire more than 1,800 pharmaceutical sales professionals.
“Paratek has put together a strong and dedicated team focused on advancing antibiotic therapy,” said Ms. Paglia. “I look forward to applying my background and furthering the company’s culture and employee experience.”
Stephen Villano, M.D.
With more than 20 years experience in antiviral and anti-infective research, Dr. Villano previously served as Vice President, Clinical Research and Development at ViroPharma, Inc, adding Business Development to his responsibilities in 2011. ViroPharma became a subsidiary of Shire plc in 2014. In this role, Dr. Villano directed R&D activities for the company’s anti-infective programs, and was responsible for medical oversight of clinical studies. He was also responsible for the identification and review of early compounds with potential in niche markets or orphan drugs. Prior to his position at ViroPharma, Dr. Villano was Medical Director, Virology, Medical Science & Development at Dupont Pharmaceuticals Company, where he focused on the development of the antiretroviral medication efavirenz. Dr. Villano received his doctor of medicine degree at Johns Hopkins, where he also completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases.
“I am excited to be joining the talented team at Paratek at this critical phase in the development of omadacycline,” said Dr. Villano. “I look forward to contributing to continued growth for Paratek and executing on the potential of this novel compound.”
About Paratek
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies based upon its expertise in novel tetracycline chemistry. Paratek’s lead product candidate, omadacycline, is the first in a new class of tetracyclines known as aminomethylcyclines, with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and atypical bacteria. Paratek initiated a Phase 3 registration study in ABSSSI in June to determine the efficacy and safety of omadacycline compared to linezolid. A Phase 3 registration study for CABP with omadacycline is planned to be initiated before the end of 2015.
Omadacycline is a new once-daily oral and IV, well-tolerated broad-spectrum antibiotic being developed for use as empiric monotherapy for patients suffering from serious community-acquired bacterial infections, such as acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP), urinary tract infections (UTI), and other community-acquired bacterial infections, particularly when antibiotic resistance is of concern to prescribing physicians.
Paratek’s second Phase 3 product candidate, sarecycline, is a new once-daily oral tetracycline-derived compound for the potential treatment of acne and rosacea in the community setting. Sarecycline was designed to be a well-tolerated, once-daily, oral, narrow spectrum antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties. Allergan owns the U.S. rights for the development and commercialization of sarecycline. Paratek retains all ex-U.S. rights. Two identical Phase 3 registration studies were initiated by Allergan in December 2014 for sarecycline for the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
For more information, visit www.paratekpharm.com.
Forward Looking Statements
The statement in this press release that a Phase 3 registration study for CABP with omadacycline is planned to be initiated before the end of 2015 is a forward-looking statement. This forward-looking statement is based upon Paratek’s current expectations and involves substantial risks and uncertainties. The Phase 3 registration study for CABP with omadacycline may not be initiated on the time frame indicated, or at all, as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to: (i) the ability to receive regulatory approvals; and (ii) unexpected results obtained in the clinical studies. These and other risk factors are discussed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in Paratek’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, and Paratek’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Paratek expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein.
CONTACT: Media Relations: Michael Lampe (484) 575-5040 michael@michaellampeconsulting.com Investor Relations: Hans Vitzthum LifeSci Advisors, LLC. 212-915-2568
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