SAN MATEO, Calif., April 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talon Therapeutics (OTCBB:TLON), a biopharmaceutical company focused on expert and efficient clinical development of product candidates targeting hematologic malignancies and solid tumors as well as a product candidate for the treatment-limiting skin toxicities of the EGFR-inhibitor class of cancer therapeutics, today announced the appointment of Howard Pien to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Pien was most recently employed at Medarex, Inc. serving as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board until Bristol-Myers Squibb acquired it in 2009.
"We are pleased to welcome Howard to our Board of Directors at such an exciting and critical time in the Company's history. Howard's considerable experience as the President and CEO of a number of pharmaceutical companies will add an important dimension to our Board," said Leon Rosenberg, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Talon Therapeutics. Steven R. Deitcher, M.D., President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Talon Therapeutics added, "Howard's operational, commercial, and strategic knowledge will be invaluable as we prepare for the potential approval and commercialization of Marqibo® for treatment of advanced, relapsed adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia."
"I am honored to join the Talon Board of Directors," stated Mr. Pien. "The Phase 2 data from Marqibo® demonstrates that it has the potential to become the standard of care for relapsed adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and the positive vote by the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee signals a need to provide a new treatment option to this underserved patient population. I look forward to working closely with Talon's Board and management team."
Prior to joining Medarex in 2007, Mr. Pien served as President, Chief Executive, and Chairman of the Board of Chiron Corporation from 2003 until 2006 (when Chiron was acquired by Novartis). He joined Chiron from GlaxoSmithKline (formerly SmithKline Beecham) where he served as President, Pharmaceuticals of SmithKline Beecham and later as President of GlaxoSmithKline's International Pharmaceutical business. Mr. Pien has also held positions in sales, market research, licensing and product management at Abbott Laboratories and Merck & Co.
Mr. Pien earned a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Carnegie-Mellon University.
About Talon Therapeutics
Talon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to seizing upon medical opportunities, efficiently and expertly leading product candidates through clinical development, and transferring value to patients, patient care providers, shareholders, corporate partners, and employees.
In addition to Marqibo, Talon has additional pipeline opportunities some of which, like Marqibo, have the potential to improve delivery and enhance the therapeutic benefits of well characterized, proven chemotherapies and enable high potency dosing without increased toxicity.
Additional information on Talon Therapeutics can be found at www.talontx.com.
The Talon Therapeutics, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3290
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding potential FDA approval of Talon's NDA for Marqibo, the potential of Marqibo to be a safe and effective alternative for existing therapies, and the timing, progress and anticipated results of the clinical development of Marqibo and Talon's other product candidates. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Talon's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Such risks and uncertainties include: that there can be no assurances that any of Talon's clinical and regulatory development efforts relating to Marqibo will be successful; that Talon's NDA for Marqibo will be approved; that the data of the clinical trials of Marqibo will be sufficient to support approval by the FDA of the NDA for Marqibo; that the results of the clinical trials of Marqibo will support Talon's claims or beliefs concerning Marqibo's safety and effectiveness; that Talon will be able to secure the additional capital necessary to fund its product development programs, including Marqibo, to completion; Talon's reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates, and its lack of experience in developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products. Additional risks are described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Talon assumes no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.