Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACOR) today announced that John
Librie has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales and
Marketing. Mr. Librie will continue to manage the sales and marketing
efforts of Zanaflex Capsules(R) (tizanidine hydrochloride), as well as
oversee all pre-commercial and commercial initiatives around the
Company’s lead development compound, Fampridine-SR. Fampridine-SR is a
sustained-release tablet being studied to evaluate its safety and
efficacy in improving walking ability in people with multiple
sclerosis (MS).
“John has done an outstanding job in helping to build out Acorda’s
overall commercial capability. Under his leadership, Acorda has
developed a deeply experienced neurology sales force and a marketing
team with a unique understanding of the needs of the MS community,”
said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Acorda
Therapeutics. “John and his organization have a demonstrated track
record of success, with sales of Zanaflex Capsules growing five-fold
since the product’s launch in 2005. Acorda is now well positioned to
market neurological therapies that we may successfully develop,
including Fampridine-SR and other earlier stage compounds in our
pipeline.”
Mr. Librie has more than 25 years of experience in the
biopharmaceutical industry and has led or been a part of fourteen
product launches, including the 2006 launch of Zanaflex Capsules.
Throughout his career, he has developed and expanded sales and
marketing organizations to support products in specialty areas such as
neurology, oncology and hormone therapy. As Senior Vice President,
Sales and Marketing, Mr. Librie will focus on developing and executing
pre-launch and launch activities for Fampridine-SR, if approved,
including programs designed to increase awareness of mobility issues
among people with MS, prescibers, payors and other relevant
constituents.
Mr. Librie joined Acorda in October 2003 as Executive Director,
Marketing and Commercialization, and was promoted to Vice President,
Sales and Marketing in March 2005. Prior to joining Acorda, Mr. Librie
spent nine years at Genentech in various sales, sales management and
marketing positions, and also served as Vice President of Sales at BTG
Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focusing on therapies for
spinal cord injury, infectious diseases and wound care.
About Fampridine-SR
Fampridine-SR is a sustained-release tablet formulation of the
investigational drug fampridine (4-aminopyridine or 4-AP). Laboratory
studies have shown that fampridine can improve the communication
between damaged nerves, which may result in increased neurological
function. Fampridine-SR is currently being studied in Phase 3 clinical
trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy to improve walking ability
in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
About Acorda Therapeutics
Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing
therapies for spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and related
nervous system disorders. The Company’s marketed products include
Zanaflex Capsules(R) (tizanidine hydrochloride), a short-acting drug
for the management of spasticity. Acorda’s lead clinical product,
Fampridine-SR, is in Phase 3 clinical trials to evaluate its safety
and efficacy to improve walking ability in people with MS. The
Company’s pipeline includes a number of products in development for
the treatment, regeneration and repair of the spinal cord and brain.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding
management’s expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects should
be considered forward-looking. These statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially, including Acorda Therapeutics’ ability to successfully
market and sell Zanaflex Capsules, the risk of unfavorable results
from future studies of Fampridine-SR, delays in obtaining or failure
to obtain FDA approval of Fampridine-SR, competition, failure to
protect its intellectual property or to defend against the
intellectual property claims of others, the ability to obtain
additional financing to support Acorda Therapeutics’ operations, and
unfavorable results from its preclinical programs. These and other
risks are described in greater detail in Acorda Therapeutics’ filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Acorda Therapeutics may
not actually achieve the goals or plans described in its
forward-looking statements, and investors should not place undue
reliance on these statements. Acorda Therapeutics disclaims any intent
or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of
developments occurring after the date of this press release.