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| News |
| NEWS ARCHIVE | Relypsa Adds Key Leadership Positions to Support Late-Stage Development and Pre-Launch Commercial Activities |
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Santa Clara, Ca, May 19, 2011 – Relypsa, Inc. today announced the appointments of Klaus Veitinger, M.D., Ph.D., to the new position of Vice Chairman, and James A. Johnson to the new position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Veitinger brings to the company significant commercial and general business management expertise based on his successful track record in running pharmaceutical companies and now, on the private equity side, where he is taking a hands-on approach at the board level. Mr. Johnson is a veteran financial executive who brings to the company more than 30 years of financial and operational management experience, including over 20 years in the biotechnology industry. “Klaus and Jim joining our team marks an important milestone for the company now that we are in late stage development and moving towards commercialization,” said Gerrit Klaerner, Ph.D., President of Relypsa. “Klaus has previously built effective specialty sales organizations, while Jim has experience sourcing various types of funding to support product launches.” “I’m looking forward to being part of the team and helping create a broad range of strategic options for Relypsa to advance its main asset, RLY5016. This novel potassium binder represents a unique combination of low risk and significant commercial potential,” said Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ZymoGenetics, Inc. until November 2010, leaving shortly after its acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. He joined ZymoGenetics in 2001, leading its initial public offering in 2002 and playing key roles in the company’s product launch and eventual sale. Previously, Mr. Johnson was Chief Financial Officer of Targeted Genetics Corporation, a publicly-traded biotechnology company, for seven years. He began his career in the biotechnology industry at Immunex Corporation, where he was Vice President, Finance. Mr. Johnson received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Dr. Veitinger is currently a Venture Partner with OrbiMed. Since 1990, he has held senior management positions in drug development, licensing and business development, strategic planning and M&A, as well as general management. Most recently, Dr. Veitinger was a Member of the Executive Board of Schwarz Pharma AG and the Chief Executive Officer of Schwarz Pharma, Inc. with responsibility for the U.S. and Asia businesses, until the sale of the Schwarz Group to UCB S.A. in 2006. Dr. Veitinger earned his medical degree and Ph.D. at the University of Heidelberg. He earned his MBA at INSEAD in France. Dr. Veitinger commented, “RLY5016 for the treatment of hyperkalemia is one of the rare late-stage, capital efficient development programs that address a significant unmet medical need. While hyperkalemia is encountered in many settings, we are exploring a commercial strategy focused on nephrology, which has substantial market potential and can be pursued with a small specialty sales force.” About RLY5016 and Hyperkalemia RLY5016 is a high capacity non-absorbed oral potassium binder being developed for the management of elevated serum potassium levels. Relypsa has completed several clinical trials of RLY5016 that have demonstrated the preliminary efficacy, safety and tolerability of RLY5016 for the prevention of hyperkalemia. A multi-center, open-label Phase 2 study of RLY5016 in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease who have hyperkalemia resulting from the administration of RAAS inhibitors is expected to begin this month. About Relypsa, Inc. CONTACT: Relypsa, Inc. |
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