DUBLIN, Ireland, Jan. 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prothena Corporation plc (Nasdaq:PRTA), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel antibodies for the potential treatment of a broad range of diseases, today announced the appointment of Richard T. Collier and Shane Cooke to its board of directors. Mr. Collier and Mr. Cooke join existing directors Lars Ekman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Dale Schenk, CEO of Prothena.
"We are pleased and proud that Rick and Shane will be joining our Board. Each has significant industry experience and their insight will be invaluable to us as we seek to develop novel antibodies for the potential treatment of a broad range of diseases, and advance these potential therapies through clinical development," commented Lars Ekman, Prothena's Chairman. "On behalf of Prothena and the Board of Directors, I welcome them and look forward to drawing on their experience and judgment."
Richard T. Collier
Richard T. Collier is currently an Adjunct Professor of Law at The Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia, where he has taught Drug and Medical Device Law since 2004. He has nearly twenty-five years experience in executive positions in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Among other positions, Mr. Collier served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel in three publicly-traded global pharmaceutical companies - Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc.; Pharmacia & Upjohn Company; and Pharmacia Corporation. Most recently, Mr. Collier served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Elan Corporation, plc. Prior to his corporate career, Mr. Collier was in the private practice of law at two leading Philadelphia-based law firms and served with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Department of Justice in Philadelphia. Mr. Collier earned both his undergraduate (B.A.) and law degrees (J.D.) at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Shane Cooke
Shane Cooke is President of Alkermes plc and previously, was Head of Elan Drug Technologies (EDT) and Executive Vice President of Elan Corporation, plc from 2007 until the merger between EDT and Alkermes, Inc. in September 2011. Mr. Cooke concurrently served as Chief Financial Officer of Elan Corporation, plc from 2001 to May 2011 and as a Director of Elan from May 2005 to September 2011. Prior to joining Elan, Mr. Cooke was Chief Executive of Pembroke Capital Limited, an aviation leasing company of which he was a founder. Mr. Cooke also previously held a number of senior positions in finance in the banking and aviation industries. Mr. Cooke is a chartered accountant and a graduate of University College Dublin, Ireland.
About Prothena Corporation
Prothena Corporation plc (Nasdaq:PRTA) is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel antibodies for the potential treatment of a broad range of diseases that involve protein misfolding or cell adhesion, particularly on the discovery and development of potential therapeutic monoclonal antibodies directed specifically to disease-causing proteins. These potential therapies have a broad range of indications, including AL and AA forms of amyloidosis, Parkinson's disease and related synucleinopathies, and novel cell adhesion targets involved in autoimmune disease and metastatic cancers. For more information, please visit www.prothena.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to, among other things, our financial condition, results of operations and business prospects and the status and timing of our products in research. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "potential,""target," "will" and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. These statements are based on assumptions that may not prove accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to the risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of the information statement included as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form 10, which has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prothena undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or changes in Prothena's expectations.