LAGUNA HILLS, Calif., July 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Alacrity Biosciences, Inc., (Alacrity) a biopharmaceutical company focused on meeting unmet needs in ophthalmic diseases, announced that Karin Ludwig, M.D. has joined the company as its Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Ludwig brings more than 16 years of medical and drug development experience, including ophthalmics, to the company. Dr. Ludwig comes to Alacrity from her most recent position as Senior Vice President, Clinical Research at Amicus Therapeutics in Cranbury, NJ.
"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Ludwig to the Alacrity team," said David F. Power, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alacrity Biosciences, Inc. "Dr. Ludwig's broad experience in clinical drug development, including work on some of the most successful ophthalmic pharmaceutical products, will bring enormous value to the company as we advance our clinical development programs."
Dr. Ludwig received her medical degree from Freiburg University in Germany, and went on to train in general surgery at University Hospital in Tuebingen. She began her career in clinical drug development at Farmitalia Carlo Erba in Freiburg, before becoming head of clinical research at the German subsidiary of Pharmacia in 1993. While there, Dr. Ludwig successfully completed clinical trials on latanoprost (Xalatan), which today is the world's best-selling treatment for glaucoma. She then held various research and development positions at Pharmacia & Upjohn and Pharmacia in the US, and the UK. Following Pfizer's acquisition of Pharmacia in 2003, Dr. Ludwig was named group leader and senior director of the US medical programs in endocrinology and ophthalmology.
"The position of Chief Medical Officer at Alacrity Biosciences represents a great opportunity," said Dr. Ludwig. "I'm excited to work with the Alacrity team to expedite the development of its promising drug candidates."
About Alacrity Biosciences
Alacrity Biosciences, Inc. is a Laguna Hills, CA-based biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing innovative therapeutics to treat ophthalmic diseases that threaten vision and reduce patient quality of life. Alacrity's pipeline includes: (1) ALTY-0501 - a potent matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor currently in Phase II for the treatment of dry eye disease; and (2) ALTY-0601 - a Phase I/II therapeutic with a unique mechanism of action to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients by increasing aqueous outflow. For additional information, please visit www.alacritybio.com.
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Alacrity Biosciences, Inc. was founded by Paramount BioSciences, which is a global drug development and healthcare investment firm that conceives, nurtures, and supports new biotechnology and life-sciences companies. For additional information, please visit www.paramountbio.com.