NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 22, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Nasdaq:ACHN) a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs to combat the most challenging infectious diseases, today announced the appointment of David P. Wright to its Board of Directors. Mr. Wright, who is President and Chief Executive Officer of Pharmathene, Inc., brings extensive experience in pharmaceutical market development, product launch and commercial operations. He will serve on Achillion's audit committee.
Prior to joining Pharmathene in 2003, Mr. Wright served as President and Chief Operating Officer of GenVec Inc., and previously as President and Chief Business Officer of Guilford Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Wright served as Executive Vice President for MedImmune, Inc. from 1990 to 2000, where he was part of the senior management team which drove that company to success, building its sales and commercial operations. Additionally, he has held various marketing and sales positions at pharmaceutical companies including Smith Kline & French, G.D. Searle and Glaxo. Among other things, Mr. Wright was responsible for the highly successful launch of Zantac into the U.S. market.
"Having worked with Dave at two previous companies, both at MedImmune and at OraPharma, I am very pleased to have his extensive experience and track record available to Achillion as we advance our product pipeline," said Michael Kishbauch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Achillion. "With four pipeline programs now advancing steadily, Dave's commercial background and breadth of experience will be quite valuable."
About Achillion
Achillion is an innovative pharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing important new treatments to patients with infectious disease. The company's proven discovery and development teams have advanced multiple product candidates with novel mechanisms of action. Achillion is focused on solutions for the most challenging problems in infectious disease -- HIV, hepatitis and resistant bacterial infections. For more information on Achillion Pharmaceuticals, please visit the company's web site at www.achillion.com or call Achillion at 1-203-624-7000.
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including statements with respect to Achillion's ability to discover and develop drug candidates and the nomination of a new NS4A antagonist candidate. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: unexpected regulatory actions or delays; uncertainties relating to results of clinical trials, including additional data relating to ongoing clinical trials; Achillion's ability to obtain additional funding required to conduct its research, development and commercialization activities and Achillion's dependence on its collaboration with Gilead Sciences. These and other risks are described in the reports filed by Achillion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
All forward-looking statements reflect Achillion's expectations only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as reflecting Achillion's views, expectations or beliefs at any date subsequent to the date of this release. Achillion anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause these views, expectations and beliefs to change. However, while Achillion may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.
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