RetroVirox, Inc. Announces Appointment of Dr. Ronald C. Griffith as Vice President of Research and Development

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - October 08, 2009) -

RetroVirox, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing novel antivirals, announced today the appointment of Ronald C. Griffith, Ph.D. as Vice President of Research and Development, effective September 15th, 2009. Dr. Griffith will report to Juan Lama, Ph.D., founder and CEO of RetroVirox and will also become a member of the company’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Griffith brings to RetroVirox more than 30 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Prior to joining RetroVirox, Dr. Griffith was Chief Scientific Officer of Genelabs Technologies, a virology company in Redwood City, California. Earlier this year, Genelabs was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline. At Genelabs, Dr. Griffith built a scientific team of over fifty scientists (30 Ph.D.'s) and oversaw all internal research and development programs, including the company’s HCV projects. Dr. Griffith was instrumental in closing HCV partnership deals with Gilead Science and Novartis, valued at $300 million. Previously, he spent 23 years at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and held Vice President positions in Tanabe Research Laboratories, X-Ceptor Therapeutics, and Isis Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Griffith received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Syracuse University and performed his post-doctoral studies at the California Institute of Technology.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Griffith to the RetroVirox senior management team,” said Juan Lama, Ph.D., founder and Chief Executive Officer of RetroVirox, Inc. “Dr. Griffith brings tremendous value to the company, with a unique combination of innovation in antiviral discovery, partnering experience, and expertise in driving new drugs into clinical development.” At RetroVirox, Dr. Griffith will direct the small-molecule drug development programs for HIV and HCV. “I am delighted to join RetroVirox and look forward to working with management and this innovative team of scientists.”

Along with Dr. Griffith, Richard Martin, Ph.D. joins the company as Director of Chemistry, and Richard W. Michitsch, Ph.D. has been appointed Director of Screening Operations. Combined, this team brings over 60 years of experience in drug discovery and development, 20 IND filings, and 2 compounds to FDA approval.

About RetroVirox

RetroVirox, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in San Diego, California, developing novel drugs to treat some of the most challenging human pathogens, including HIV and HCV. The company is currently raising Series A financing.

For more information visit http://www.retrovirox.com/ or email us at info@retrovirox.com