WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Prestwick Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing novel treatments for chronic diseases of the central nervous system, today announced that George F. Horner III has been appointed president and chief executive officer.
Horner joins Prestwick most recently from Vicuron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he served as president, chief executive officer and a director from 1996 until the company was acquired by Pfizer, Inc. in September 2005. Prior to Vicuron, Horner worked as a corporate vice president at Ligand Pharmaceuticals from 1993 to 1995, and before that, he spent nearly two decades in a variety of executive positions at Abbott Laboratories. He is a member of the board of directors of Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
“George’s experience in building a product pipeline, managing regulatory processes and creating a strong commercial business will prove invaluable to us as we make the transition to becoming a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company delivering differentiated CNS products to patients in need,” said Mel Booth, chairman of Prestwick’s board of directors.
“I look forward to capitalizing on the excellent portfolio of product assets and creating a focused commercial strategy which builds a proprietary business for targeted markets and a partnered approach to the larger markets,” said Horner. “Prestwick’s broad CNS pipeline will enable us to accelerate this approach.”
Kathleen Clarence-Smith, M.D., Ph.D., founder and member of the board of directors, will focus on advancing clinical development for Prestwick’s portfolio of product candidates and, once approved, contribute to the launch of Prestwick’s lead product, tetrabenazine. Arthur M. Mandell will continue to provide guidance and assistance with corporate operations and business development as an executive strategic advisor and member of the board of directors.
About Prestwick
Prestwick is currently managing a portfolio of pipeline product candidates being studied for CNS conditions with significant unmet needs, including Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome, schizophrenia, autism, Alzheimer’s disease and sleep apnea.
Please go to www.prestwickpharma.com for more information.
Source: Prestwick Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
