SAN DIEGO, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pediatric-oriented specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced it has appointed Ahmet S. Tutuncu, M.D., Ph.D., as Vice President, Medical Affairs. Dr. Tutuncu brings 20 years of experience in medical practice and corporate medical affairs to his new role at Verus. Dr. Tutuncu’s recent experience at SkyePharma as Medical Director for pulmonary products is expected to support Verus’ efforts to broaden its pipeline beyond the anaphylaxis market to include asthma and other allergy-related diseases and conditions. Currently, Verus markets Twinject(R), a novel epinephrine auto-injector indicated for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. Verus is dedicated to identifying, developing and delivering solutions to address the unmet medical needs of children and those who care for them.
“I am pleased to bring Ahmet on board and add his extensive clinical and regulatory capabilities to our team,” said Robert W. Keith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Verus. “His experience as a Medical Director for drug/device combination products will be invaluable to Verus as we execute our near-term growth strategy. Our intention is to accelerate our efforts to build a pipeline of late-stage asthma products designed and tested specifically for the pediatric population and to continue expanding the Twinject franchise.”
“I am impressed with Verus’ approach to developing novel products for this special patient population,” said Dr. Tutuncu, newly appointed Vice President, Medical Affairs of Verus. “There is a significant unmet medical need today for new and improved products for children and I am excited to be associated with a company focused on the development of such novel products.”
Dr. Tutuncu previously was Director of Corporate Medical Affairs at SkyePharma Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in respiratory and pain products. As Medical Director for pulmonary products, he developed and implemented clinical plans for late-stage products including budesonide, formoterol and Flutiform(TM). Previously, he held many positions of increasing responsibility at Alliance Pharmaceutical Corporation. Prior to joining Alliance, he was Assistant Professor at the University of Istanbul, Turkey and as an M.D., he specialized in Intensive Care Medicine.
Dr. Tutuncu received his Ph.D. in respiratory pathophysiology from Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands and his M.D. from the Medical Faculty of the University of Istanbul, Turkey. He is a member of multiple medical societies, most importantly, the American Thoracic Society, the European Respiratory Society and the Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators.
About Verus
Verus Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to improving the lives of children and those who care for them. Verus is building a portfolio of products for the unmet medical needs of children through acquisitions and alliances, with an initial focus on the treatment of asthma, allergies, and related diseases and conditions. Verus is differentiated by its pediatric orientation and its strong financial position and experienced management team, which allows the company to capitalize on an extensive network to build its product portfolio and pursue complementary transactions. The company’s rigorous, disciplined approach to strategic decision-making and core competencies in development and commercialization is expected to provide significant value to its partners. More information about Verus is available on the company’s corporate website at www.veruspharm.com.
Verus(TM) and Twinject(R) are trademarks of Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. More information about anaphylaxis and Twinject is available on the company’s Twinject website at www.twinject.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Verus Pharmaceuticals cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Verus that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Verus’ business including, without limitation, statements about: its ability to identify appropriate acquisition, licensing, or co-development and/or promotion candidates in the future or be able to take advantage of the opportunities it identifies; difficulties or delays in developing, obtaining regulatory approval, manufacturing and commercializing its products; unexpected performance or side effects of its products that could delay or prevent development or commercialization, or that could result in recalls or product liability claims; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Verus undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
Company Contact: Media Contact: Robert W. Keith Kathy W. Sweeney President and Chief Operating Officer Mentus Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 858-455-5500, x230 858-436-1615 kwitz@mentus.comrkeith@veruspharm.com
Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
CONTACT: Robert W. Keith, President and Chief Operating Officer of VerusPharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-858-436-1615, rkeith@veruspharm.com; or Media,Kathy W. Sweeney of Mentus, +1-858-455-5500, ext. 230, kwitz@mentus.com,for Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
