DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2017--
Alkermes
plc (NASDAQ: ALKS) today announced the appointment of Craig
Hopkinson, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, and Senior Vice President of
Clinical Development and Medical Affairs. Dr. Hopkinson will be
responsible for the advancement and implementation of the clinical
development programs for Alkermes’ pipeline of drug candidates. He will
serve on the executive management team of Alkermes and report to Elliot
Ehrich, M.D., Executive Vice President of Research and Development. Dr.
Ehrich will transition his role as Chief Medical Officer to Dr.
Hopkinson and will focus on advancing the company’s product pipeline and
pharmaceutical development strategy.
“We are pleased to welcome Craig, an industry veteran and proven leader,
whose expertise will help shape Alkermes’ next stage of growth. His
experience will be invaluable to our current global research and
clinical development efforts in CNS diseases,” said Richard Pops, Chief
Executive Officer of Alkermes. “As our portfolio of new medicines
expands, we are responding by strengthening our capabilities in
providing scientific and medical information on the value of our
products.”
Dr. Hopkinson brings more than 20 years of experience building and
leading clinical development organizations and medical affairs groups in
the biopharmaceutical industry. He has led multidisciplinary development
teams in multiple therapeutic areas, including neuroscience, oncology,
gastroenterology, infectious diseases, cardiovascular conditions,
inflammation, genetic diseases, hematology and neurodegenerative
diseases, and has extensive knowledge of clinical study design and the
regulatory landscape. Most recently, Dr. Hopkinson held the position of
Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs for Vertex
Pharmaceuticals. Prior to this role, Dr. Hopkinson held various
executive management positions at Eisai Pharmaceuticals, including
President of Eisai Value Maximization Systems, President and Chief
Medical Officer of the Frontier Product Creation Unit, and Vice
President of Medical Affairs, Oncology. In addition, Dr. Hopkinson
served in leadership positions at Elan Pharmaceuticals, Actelion
Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer. Dr. Hopkinson completed his Bachelor of
Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of the Orange Free
State in South Africa.
“I am excited to lead the clinical development programs during this
important time at Alkermes, when the company is rapidly advancing its
robust late-stage pipeline,” said Dr. Hopkinson. “I look forward to
making progress with the range of clinical studies that are underway and
to bringing valuable medicines to the market for patients.”
About Alkermes
Alkermes plc is a fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company
developing innovative medicines for the treatment of central nervous
system (CNS) diseases. The company has a diversified commercial product
portfolio and a substantial clinical pipeline of product candidates for
chronic diseases that include schizophrenia, depression, addiction and
multiple sclerosis. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has
an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing
facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in
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, as amended, including, but not
limited to, statements concerning: the therapeutic and commercial value
of the company’s products; and the timing, results and feasibility of
the company’s product development activities. 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 expressed or implied in the forward-looking
statements due to various risks and uncertainties, including those risks
and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the
company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016
and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Mar. 31, 2017
and in subsequent filings made by the company with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available on the SEC’s website
at www.sec.gov.
Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date they are made. 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 or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this
press release.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530005177/en/
Source: Alkermes plc
Alkermes Contacts:
For Investors:
Eva
Stroynowski, +1 781-609-6377
or
Sandy Coombs, +1 781-609-6377
or
For
Media:
Jennifer Snyder, +1 781-609-6166
