BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Accera Inc., a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing novel drugs for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that it has appointed William T. Poncy, M.B.A., as vice president of commercial development. Mr. Poncy will direct the commercial launch of Ketasyn (AC-1202) as a medical food product in the U.S. for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Given his strong track record in all aspects pharmaceutical commercialization, we are thrilled to welcome Bill to our management team,” commented Steve Orndorff, Ph.D., president and CEO. “We are confident that his strong track record combined with Ketasyn’s excellent safety and efficacy will allow Accera to make a competitive entry into the multi billion-dollar Alzheimer’s market.”
Additionally, Mr. Poncy will be responsible for developing Accera’s neurodegenerative disease franchise for ethical drugs now in development for Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and age-associated memory impairment.
With more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Mr. Poncy most recently served as vice president of sales and marketing at Myogen, Inc. (now Gilead Sciences), where he built the commercial organization and launched a pulmonary anti-hypertension franchise. Previously he was the North American vice president of sales and marketing for Pharmion Corp., where he developed an oncology commercial organization. He has also held positions in sales, managed care, trade, marketing and various management roles at DuPont Pharmaceuticals and Berlex Labs.
About Accera, Inc.
Based in Broomfield, CO, Accera, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing novel drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. The company’s lead candidate, Ketasyn(TM) (AC-1202), is a first-in-class molecule that earlier this year completed successful Phase II clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age-associated memory impairment (AAMI). Accera plans to self-commercialize Ketasyn as a medical food for the treatment of AD in the US in 2008. A key element of Accera’s strategy is work with corporate partners to commercialize Ketasyn in non-U.S. markets, and to develop AC-1202 and other proprietary small molecule compounds in its pipeline for a range of memory and cognition disorders associated with neurological conditions and aging. http://www.accerapharma.com
About Ketasyn(TM)
Brain imaging techniques performed on Alzheimer’s patients reveal a dramatically decreased uptake of glucose, the brain’s preferred source of energy. Known as neuronal hypometabolism, this condition resembles diabetes in the brain, or Type III diabetes. Ketasyn(TM) (AC-1202) is an orally available, liquid compound that is efficiently converted into ketone bodies, an alternative energy source that the brain can use even when glucose metabolism is impaired. By preserving glucose-deprived neurons, Ketasyn demonstrates neuroprotective and disease modifying potential in a number other neurodegenerative diseases characterized by neuronal hypometabolism. This first-in-class compound is also being evaluated in age-associated memory impairment, Parkinson’s disease, and selected orphan drug indications.
About Medical Foods
The Food and Drug Administration defines a medical food as a food to be consumed or administered orally under medical supervision for the dietary management of a disease or condition for which specific nutritional requirements have been scientifically proven. Medical foods are specially formulated and processed to meet these nutritional requirements, which modification of the diet alone cannot satisfy. Medical foods may be prescribed by a physician for a patient actively receiving medical attention for a specific disease or condition, and are subject to the general food and safety labeling requirements of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act.
mfeeks@rlcinc.com
CONTACT: Meghan Feeks of Richard Lewis Communications, Inc.,
+1-212-827-0020, or mfeeks@rlcinc.com, for Accera Inc.
Web site: http://www.accerapharma.com/
