SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug 26, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- XenoPort, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!xnpt/quotes/nls/xnpt (XNPT 6.18, -0.04, -0.64%) announced today that William J. Rieflin has been elected to the XenoPort Board of Directors, effective September 17, 2010, and he will resign as president of XenoPort to accept a position as chief executive officer of a private biotech company. He will continue to serve as a consultant to XenoPort during a transition period.
XenoPort also announced today that Gianna M. Bosko has been promoted to senior vice president, chief administrative officer, general counsel and secretary. Ms. Bosko will report to Ronald W. Barrett, Ph.D., XenoPort’s chief executive officer, and will be responsible for the human resources, information technology, legal and other administrative functions for the company.
“Both the XenoPort management team and our board appreciate Bill’s many contributions over the last six years,” said Dr. Barrett. “We are delighted that he is joining our board of directors and wish him all the best in his next executive position.”
Dr. Barrett continued, “Gia has made tremendous contributions to XenoPort over the last five years and her promotion is well deserved. I look forward to working more closely with Gia in her new role.”
Mr. Rieflin said, “It has been a great pleasure to work at XenoPort, and I am delighted to be able to remain engaged in its strategic operations as a member of the board. I have the utmost respect for the XenoPort team and have great optimism about the company’s future.”
Ms. Bosko joined XenoPort in 2005 and was previously vice president, general counsel and secretary. Prior to that, she was senior corporate counsel from 2005 to 2007. Prior to XenoPort, Ms. Bosko was a legal consultant, providing general corporate and in-house legal consulting services for private and public companies, including XenoPort, from 2004 to 2005. From 1996 to 2004, she was an associate at Cooley LLP, practicing general corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on securities transactions and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Bosko received an A.B., with distinction, in Human Biology from Stanford University and a J.D., with honors, from the University of Chicago Law School.
About XenoPort
XenoPort, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a portfolio of internally discovered product candidates that utilize the body’s natural nutrient transport mechanisms to improve the therapeutic benefits of existing drugs. XenoPort is developing its lead product candidate in collaboration with Astellas Pharma Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline. XenoPort’s product candidates are being studied for the potential treatment of restless legs syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, neuropathic pain, spasticity and Parkinson’s disease. To learn more about XenoPort, please visit the Web site at www.XenoPort.com.
