Alkermes
plc (NASDAQ: ALKS) today announced that it has expanded its senior
management team by appointing two industry veterans to newly created
roles. Srdjan (Serge) Stankovic, M.D., MSPH, will serve as Senior Vice
President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, and Peter Norman
has joined the company as Vice President of Government Affairs and
Policy.
“We are very pleased to welcome Serge and Pete – two proven leaders
whose expertise will contribute to Alkermes’ next stage of growth,” said
Richard Pops, Chief Executive Officer of Alkermes. “As our portfolio of
new medicines expands, we are responding by strengthening our
capabilities in two areas critical for our future: global clinical
development and government affairs.”
Dr. Serge Stankovic will be responsible for Alkermes’ Clinical
Development and Medical Affairs function, which advances and implements
the clinical development programs for the company’s pipeline of drug
candidates. He will serve on the senior management team at Alkermes and
report to Elliot Ehrich, M.D., Senior Vice President of Research &
Development and Chief Medical Officer.
“I am very enthusiastic about leading the clinical development programs
during this exciting time when Alkermes is expanding its pipeline,” said
Dr. Stankovic. “I look forward not only to making progress with the
range of clinical studies that are underway and planned for drug
candidates, but also to achieving the ultimate goal of delivering
valuable medicines that make a difference for patients.”
Mr. Peter Norman will lead Alkermes’ U.S. Government Affairs and Policy
function, ranging from activities at federal and state levels, to
interactions with professional and patient organizations. He will serve
on the senior management team at Alkermes and report to Kathryn
Biberstein, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Chief
Compliance Officer.
“I am excited to join Alkermes at a time when there are so many emerging
opportunities to connect the company’s medicines with policy and
advocacy initiatives to impact patients, healthcare systems and the
public health,” said Mr. Norman. “Alkermes is poised to advance
innovative solutions for chronic central nervous system (CNS) diseases
that significantly impact both health systems and society. I also look
forward to exploring new public affairs and policy strategies for
enhancing adoption of, and access to, the company’s products.”
Dr. Serge Stankovic brings more than 20 years of research and
development (R&D) experience to Alkermes. He has led multidisciplinary
development teams for small molecules and biologics in the therapeutic
areas of psychiatry, neurology, oncology, pain and inflammation,
respiratory medicine, cardiovascular medicine and stem cell therapy.
Most recently, Dr. Stankovic held the position of Senior Vice President
and Head of Global Clinical Development for Teva Pharmaceuticals. He was
appointed to this role following Teva’s acquisition of Cephalon, Inc.,
where he served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Clinical Research,
and was a member of the Executive Committee. In addition, Dr. Stankovic
has held various executive management positions in the R&D organizations
of UCB Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, Neurogen Corporation and Forest
Laboratories, Inc., and is credited with several major new drug
approvals, including KEPPRA® and NUVIGIL®. Dr.
Stankovic completed his training in psychiatry at the University of
Belgrade, Yugoslavia and his epidemiology training at the University of
Alabama in Birmingham.
Mr. Peter Norman is a seasoned government affairs leader with
significant experience in legislative and regulatory efforts as well as
interactions with patient groups and healthcare coalitions on behalf of
biopharmaceutical companies. He has worked on public policy strategies
related to a range of pharmaceutical products, including drugs for
Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and diabetes, in addition to major
healthcare issues, such as Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement,
healthcare reform, DEA-controlled substance scheduling and biosimilars
legislation. Most recently, Mr. Norman was head of the Washington, D.C.
office of Eisai, Inc., where he directed government affairs and policy.
Previously, he held government affairs positions for Amylin
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novo Nordisk;
and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Mr. Norman earned a
Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law in Ohio.
About Alkermes plc
Alkermes plc is a fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company
that applies its scientific expertise and proprietary technologies to
develop innovative medicines that improve patient outcomes. The company
has a diversified portfolio of more than 20 commercial drug products and
a substantial clinical pipeline of product candidates that address
central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as addiction, schizophrenia
and depression. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has an
R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing
facility in Athlone, Ireland; and manufacturing facilities in
Gainesville, Georgia and Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, please
visit Alkermes’ website at www.alkermes.com.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned that
forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Although the
company believes that such statements are based on reasonable
assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and
operations, the forward-looking statements are neither promises nor
guarantees and they are necessarily subject to a high degree of
uncertainty and risk. Actual performance and results may differ
materially from those projected or suggested in the forward-looking
statements due to various risks and uncertainties, including those risks
described in the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and
10-K/A, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) and are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The information contained in this press release is provided by the
company as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, the
company disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating any
forward-looking information contained in this press release.
KEPPRA® is a registered trademark of the UCB Group of
Companies. NUVIGIL® is a trademark of Cephalon, Inc., or its
affiliates.
Copyright Business Wire 2013