EAST NORRITON, Pa., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Tengion Inc., a clinical stage regenerative medicine company focused on the development of neo-organs and neo-tissues, today announced the appointment of Brian J. G. Pereira, M.D., president and chief executive officer of AMAG Pharmaceuticals, and past president of the National Kidney Foundation, to its Board of Directors.
“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Pereira to Tengion’s Board of Directors,” said Steven Nichtberger, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Tengion. “Dr. Pereira’s profound knowledge of kidney disease, kidney failure, and transplantation will be invaluable as Tengion continues to develop its Neo-Kidney product portfolio for patients with chronic kidney disease that are dependent on or likely to require dialysis, and patients being treated for chronic anemia. Tengion strives to work with today’s leading experts so we can benefit from their expertise and, ultimately, better address the critically unmet needs of patients.”
Dr. Pereira joined AMAG Pharmaceuticals as president in November 2005, and was appointed chief executive officer in November 2006. Prior to joining the company, he was president and chief executive officer of New England Health Care Foundation, a physician’s group at Tufts Medical Center, from 2001 to 2005, and held various other positions at Tufts Medical Center from 1993 to 2001. From 2002 to 2004, he served as president of the National Kidney Foundation, and served on the editorial board of 12 scientific journals. Dr. Pereira is a nationally-recognized expert on kidney disease, and is the editor of the widely read textbook Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis and Transplantation and has over 200 scientific papers to his credit. He is a professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and at the Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences of Tufts University. Dr. Pereira currently serves on the board of directors of the National Kidney Foundation, Satellite Health Care Inc., and Biodel, Inc., and is the Chairman of the Board of the Harvard-MIT Biomedical Enterprise Program. Dr. Pereira earned his medical degree from St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg Business School, Northwestern University.
“I am thrilled to join the Board of Directors of Tengion and have the opportunity to work with such a stellar team,” commented Dr. Pereira. “Tengion is conducting groundbreaking research and clinical trials advancing its Neo-Bladder Augment and Neo-Bladder Replacement and furthering the science of regenerative medicine. The Company’s neo-organs and neo-tissues have enormous potential to revolutionize the treatment of serious unmet medical needs, and I look forward to being a part of this important mission.”
David Scheer, Chairman of Tengion, stated, “I would like to welcome Brian to the Board. We look forward to accessing his experience, expertise, and to a fruitful working relationship.” Dr. Pereira’s appointment follows the resignation of David Holveck from the Board of Directors. Mr. Scheer added, “I would also like to thank Dave Holveck for his many valuable contributions to Tengion since its inception.”
About Tengion
Tengion, a clinical stage biotechnology company, focuses on developing, manufacturing and commercializing human neo-organs and neo-tissues using our Autologous Organ Regeneration Platform(TM). Tengion uses biocompatible materials and a patient’s own (autologous) cells to create a functional neo-organ or neo-tissue that is designed to catalyze the body’s innate ability to regenerate. Tengion’s product candidates may ultimately address the most critical problems facing organ and tissue failure patients, enabling people to lead healthier lives without donor transplants or the side effects of related therapies.
CONTACT: Gary Sender, Tengion Inc., +1-267-960-4802; or Keri Mattox, Pure
Communications, +1-215-791-0105, for Tengion Inc.
Web site: http://www.tengion.com/
