TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Emisphere Technologies, Inc. today announced that Gary Riley has been appointed to the position of Vice President, Nonclinical Development and Applied Biology, effective November 6, 2007. Dr. Riley will be responsible for the oversight and management of nonclinical drug efficacy and safety programs, including regulatory toxicology, and the strategic design of discovery projects. Dr. Riley will report directly to Michael V. Novinski, President and Chief Executive Officer. Emisphere Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on a unique and improved delivery of therapeutic molecules and pharmaceutical compounds using its eligen(R) technology.
“Gary Riley has great hands-on experience in managing all aspects of nonclinical drug development and in bringing issues before the FDA and European Regulatory Agencies,” said Michael V. Novinski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Emisphere Technologies, Inc. “Dr. Riley also brings a real expertise in integrating knowledge of the biological response to novel drug delivery technologies and accelerating the product cycle. It is a wealth of experience that we are excited to bring to Emisphere.”
Dr. Riley has over 18 years experience as a nonclinical scientist and manager in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He was the Vice President of Toxicology and Applied Biology at Alkermes, Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he directed the design, execution and interpretation of toxicology and nonclinical efficacy programs for a wide range of parenteral drug delivery formulations. Dr. Riley played a key role in obtaining FDA approvals for three novel controlled release formulations at Alkermes in the past seven years, and has directed a large portfolio of nonclinical safety programs for specialized drug formulations targeting CNS diseases, reproduction, hematology, oncology and metabolic diseases. Dr. Riley has also investigated the role of the host response on the functionality of a variety of parenteral and inhalation drug delivery formats.
His prior pharmaceutical experience includes his role as Director of Pathobiology at Lederle Laboratories, where he designed and directed safety assessment programs for product candidates to serve a broad range of medical indications. Dr. Riley also has extensive experience in industrial and government sponsored chemical toxicology research. In academia, he formerly held faculty appointments in veterinary pathology at the University of Illinois and Iowa State University.
“Emisphere is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of millions of patients,” said Dr. Riley. “It is an exciting time to join this team and help move the Company to continued, greater success.”
Dr. Riley is a veterinarian (BVSc, Sydney University) with graduate qualifications in veterinary pathology (MVSc, Melbourne University and PhD, University of Missouri). He is certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and the American Board of Toxicology. He is the senior author of over 30 nonclinical IND and NDA submissions for the FDA and EU drug registration agencies, and the author of over 30 peer-reviewed publications.
Emisphere’s broad-based drug delivery technology platform, known as the eligen(R) technology, is based on the use of proprietary, synthetic chemical compounds, known as Emisphere delivery agents, or “carriers.” Emisphere’s eligen(R) technology makes it possible to deliver a therapeutic molecule without altering its chemical form or biological integrity.
About Emisphere Technologies, Inc.
Emisphere Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on a unique and improved delivery of therapeutic molecules and pharmaceutical compounds using its eligen(R) technology. These molecules and compounds could be currently available or are in pre-clinical or clinical development. Such molecules or compounds usually cannot be delivered by the oral route of administration or the benefits of these compounds are limited due to poor bioavailability, slow on-set of action or variable absorption. The eligen(R) technology can be applied to the oral route of administration as well other delivery pathways, such as buccal, per rectum, pulmonary, intra-vaginal or transdermal. The Web site is: www.emisphere.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this release and oral statements made by representatives of Emisphere relating to matters that are not historical facts (including without limitation those regarding future performance or financial results, the timing or potential outcomes of research collaborations or clinical trials, any market that might develop for any of Emisphere’s product candidates and the sufficiency of Emisphere’s cash and other capital resources) are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the likelihood that actual performance or results could materially differ, that future research will prove successful, the likelihood that any product in the research pipeline will receive regulatory approval in the United States or abroad, the ability of Emisphere and/or its partners to develop, manufacture and commercialize products using Emisphere’s drug delivery technology, or Emisphere’s ability to fund such efforts with or without partners. Emisphere undertakes no obligation to update any of these statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. Accordingly any forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the additional risks and uncertainties detailed in Emisphere’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Emisphere’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (file no. 000-17758) filed on March 6, 2007, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed on May 7, 2007 (file no. 000-17758).
CONTACT: Bob Madison, Corporate Communications, +1-914-593-8360
Web site: http://www.emisphere.com//
