Halozyme Therapeutics Strengthens Management Team, Appoints Additional
Experienced Executives
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
(Nasdaq: HALO), a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing
products targeting the extracellular matrix, today announced the appointment
of Patrick O'Connor, PhD, Vice President, Research, Michael J. LaBarre, PhD,
Vice President, Product Development, and James E. Cartoni, Vice President,
Legal.
"Halozyme is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining world-
class talent. We are delighted that seasoned executives such as Patrick,
Michael, and Jim have joined the team. Successfully recruiting executives of
this caliber underscores our commitment to finding exceptional talent, and
also reflects the high level of excitement Halozyme is generating in the
biotech industry," said Jonathan Lim, MD, President and CEO of Halozyme
Therapeutics. "Their broad collective experience in drug development,
formulation, analytical methodology, manufacturing, and the legal aspects of
biotechnology brings further breadth and depth to our leadership team. All
three executives will work closely with our senior management to enable
Halozyme to achieve its business objectives."
Patrick O'Connor's responsibilities will include leadership of Halozyme's
multiple biology and chemistry research programs. Dr. O'Connor joins Halozyme
from Ardea Biosciences where he was Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific
Officer. Prior to joining Ardea, Dr. O'Connor served in various executive
research positions at Pfizer Global Research & Development and Agouron
Pharmaceuticals (now Pfizer, Inc.) from 1998 to 2007. His last position with
Pfizer as Vice President, Research Therapeutic Area Head, Global Oncology,
included responsibility for setting the overall global oncology research
strategy and overseeing all aspects of oncology research. While at Pfizer,
Dr. O'Connor also built and oversaw the diabetes and obesity research groups
at the La Jolla campus. His managerial duties encompassed the generation of
new drug targets, the selection of development candidates, and strategic and
scientific support for Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies. Prior to joining
Pfizer, Dr. O'Connor served as a Fogarty Fellow at The National Cancer
Institute, Bethesda, Maryland from 1988 to 1998. He is on the Editorial Board
of Cancer Research and is a member of numerous scientific and medical
professional organizations. Dr. O'Connor received his BSc degree in
Pharmacology from Bradford University, England, and his PhD in Experimental
Oncology Therapeutics from Manchester University, England.
Michael J. LaBarre will oversee all of Halozyme's product development
efforts, bringing strong experience in chemistry, manufacturing and controls
(CMC) based on his extensive experience in the biotechnology industry for both
biologics and small molecules. In his previous role as Vice President of
Product Development at Paramount BioSciences, LLC, Dr. LaBarre led the CMC
efforts for all of the product development programs within Paramount's
portfolio. Prior to joining Paramount, Dr. LaBarre served in various research
and development positions at Biogen Idec (previously IDEC) from 1995 to 2006
where he had responsibility for analytical and formulation development,
protein purification, and biochemical characterization supporting numerous IND
and BLA submissions, including those for Rituxan(R) and Zevalin(R). His last
position with Biogen Idec was Director of Analytical and Protein Biochemistry.
Prior to IDEC, Dr. LaBarre spent two years at Vical, Inc. in the analytical
methods development group. He began his career at Hybritech where he held
positions in regulatory affairs and manufacturing technical support, focusing
on radiolabeled antibody technologies and analytical chemistry. Dr. LaBarre
received his BS degree in Chemistry from Southampton College and his PhD in
Bioinorganic Chemistry from the University of Arizona.
James E. Cartoni will oversee various legal matters, including the
negotiation and completion of agreements, corporate governance matters,
securities compliance, and the coordination and management of outside legal
counsel. Prior to joining Halozyme, Mr. Cartoni was a partner at DLA Piper,
the world's largest law firm, where he represented numerous public and private
companies in areas such as financing transactions, corporate compliance,
mergers & acquisitions and general business matters. DLA Piper is Halozyme's
primary outside corporate counsel and Mr. Cartoni has represented Halozyme
since 2004. Mr. Cartoni also served as the Co-Chair of the Legal and Finance
Committee for the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Mr. Cartoni
obtained his BA degree in Political Science from Occidental College and his
Juris Doctor degree from the University of California -- Hastings College of
the Law in 1998.
About Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
Halozyme is a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing
products targeting the extracellular matrix for the drug delivery, metabolism,
oncology, and dermatology markets. The company's portfolio of products and
product candidates is based on intellectual property covering the family of
human enzymes known as hyaluronidases. The company's Enhanze(TM) Technology
is a novel drug delivery platform designed to increase the absorption and
dispersion of biologics. Its key partnerships are with Roche to apply Enhanze
Technology to Roche's biological therapeutic compounds for up to 13 targets
and with Baxter to apply Enhanze Technology to Baxter's biological therapeutic
compound, GAMMAGARD LIQUID 10%. In addition, the company has received FDA
approval for two products: Cumulase(R), for use in in-vitro fertilization, and
HYLENEX, for use as an adjuvant to increase the absorption and dispersion of
other injected drugs and fluids. HYLENEX is partnered with Baxter
International Inc. Halozyme also has a number of different enzymes in its
portfolio that target significant areas of unmet medical need. For more
information visit http://www.halozyme.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
In addition to historical information, the statements set forth above
include forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, statements
concerning the expected roles and responsibilities of management) that involve
risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements
are also identified through use of the words "believe," "enable," "may,"
"will," "could," "intends," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "predict,"
"probable," "potential," "possible," "should," "continue," and other words of
similar meaning. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations
contained in forward-looking statements as a result of several factors,
including regulatory approval requirements and competitive conditions. These
and other factors that may result in differences are discussed in greater
detail in the company's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Halozyme Contact Media Contacts
Robert H. Uhl Karen Sparks / Joleen Schultz
Senior Director, Investor Relations Mentus
(858) 704-8264 (858) 455-5500, x275/x215
ruhl@halozyme.com karen@mentus.com
jschultz@mentus.com
SOURCE Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
Robert H. Uhl, Senior Director, Investor Relations of Halozyme Therapeutics,
Inc., +1-858-704-8264, ruhl@halozyme.com; or Karen Sparks, +1-858-455-5500,
ext. 275, karen@mentus.com, or Joleen Schultz, +1-858-455-5500, ext. 215,
jschultz@mentus.com, both of Mentus for Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
