SAN DIEGO, June 3, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trius Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:TSRX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative antibiotics for serious infections, announced today Matthew Onaitis has been appointed to the newly created role of General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Onaitis was previously Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he led the legal, compliance and business development functions. Prior to his seven years at Somaxon, Mr. Onaitis served as Associate General Counsel for the oncology strategic business unit of Biogen Idec Inc. and as Director of Legal Affairs of Elan Corporation, plc.
"Matt has broad legal experience with both development-stage and commercial-stage pharmaceutical companies," stated Jeffrey Stein, President and CEO of Trius Therapeutics. "In particular, his background in completing transactions, managing corporate governance and commercial compliance programs and supporting regulatory and commercial operations will strengthen our management team as we prepare for commercialization of tedizolid in the United States, pending regulatory approval."
"I am excited to join Trius as the company prepares to file for regulatory approval of tedizolid," stated Mr. Onaitis. "We are at a key juncture of Trius' development as a company and I am pleased to be a part of its leadership team as we advance to the next levels of value creation from tedizolid and our pipeline programs."
About Trius Therapeutics
Trius Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative antibiotics for serious infections. The Company's lead investigational drug, tedizolid phosphate, is a novel antibiotic in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of serious gram-positive infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Trius has partnered with Bayer HealthCare for the development and commercialization of tedizolid phosphate outside of the U.S., Canada and the European Union. In addition to the Company's tedizolid phosphate clinical program, Trius has initiated Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling studies for its Gyrase-B development candidate with potent activity against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens including multi-drug resistant strains of E. coli, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas. For more information, visit www.triusrx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated effects of the addition of Mr. Onaitis to the Company's management team and the potential regulatory approval and commercialization of tedizolid. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the accuracy of Trius' estimates regarding expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; the success and timing of Trius' preclinical studies and clinical trials; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; changes in Trius' plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; additional ongoing or planned clinical trials of tedizolid phosphate may produce negative or inconclusive results; Trius may decide, or the FDA may require Trius, to conduct additional clinical trials or to modify Trius' ongoing clinical trials; Trius may experience delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical testing for its product candidates, or significant issues regarding the adequacy of its clinical trial designs or the execution of its clinical trials, which could result in increased costs and delays, or limit Trius' ability to obtain regulatory approval; the third parties with whom Trius has partnered with for the development of tedizolid phosphate and upon whom Trius relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates may not perform as expected; tedizolid phosphate may not receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of tedizolid phosphate could delay or prevent regulatory approval or commercialization; Trius' ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; and the loss of key scientific or management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Trius' most recent Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other documents filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in such filings. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Trius undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.