SAN DIEGO, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Nasdaq: DURA) today announced that it has appointed Robert S. Whitehead, 48,
to serve as Dura's President, responsible for the Company's commercial
operations. Additionally, as a reflection of the Company's commitment to
building its technology platforms, David S. Kabakoff, Ph.D., has been
appointed to serve as President of Dura Technologies with continuing
responsibility for the Company's technical operations. Both Mr. Whitehead and
Dr. Kabakoff will report to Cam L. Garner, Dura's Chairman and CEO.
Dr. Kabakoff, who has served as a Director and as Executive Vice President of
Dura since May 1996, will continue to serve as Chairman, President and CEO of
Spiros Development Corporation II, Inc., (Nasdaq: SDCOZ) (Spiros Corp. II),
which is funding the development of specific products in Dura's proprietary
Spiros(R) pulmonary delivery system. The new alignment of Dura's senior
management strengthens the rapidly-growing Company in preparation for the
launch of the first Spiros(R) product, Albuterol Spiros(TM), expected in early
1999 pending FDA approval, and positions the Company for further commercial
and technologic growth.
"We are in an important phase of building the Company as we work to
achieve our sales and marketing objectives, launch an exciting new pulmonary
drug delivery platform and develop and implement strategic plans that will
carry Dura into the next millennium," stated Mr. Garner. "We are establishing
a management structure that will enable us to maximize opportunities that we
are creating for both the distribution and product development arms of our
business."
"We are extremely pleased to recruit an individual with Bob's talent to
Dura. His operational background in major pharmaceutical companies and his
leadership of an emerging bioscience company will enable him to play a
significant role in Dura's growth and success as he assumes responsibility for
Dura's sales, marketing and managed care activities, including Health Script,"
said Mr. Garner. "The expansion of David's role is based upon the excellent
leadership he has provided the Spiros(R) and other technological development
programs, evidenced most recently in the timely submission of the first new
drug application (NDA) on behalf of Spiros Corp. II and the successful
completion of the FDA's pre-approval inspection of our manufacturing
facility."
Mr. Whitehead is currently the Chairman and CEO of Trega Biosciences, Inc.
(Nasdaq: TRGA). Simultaneously today, Trega announced that Mr. Whitehead will
remain as Trega's Chairman and CEO and will initiate a search for a new
company CEO. Prior to joining Trega, Mr. Whitehead worked at Searle, the
pharmaceutical division of Monsanto, at Solvay Pharmaceuticals and at Marion
Laboratories. He has held significant marketing, planning and country
management positions both in the United States and abroad. Mr. Whitehead, who
is presently a Director of Spiros Corp. II, has been affiliated with Dura
since 1993, having served as a Director on the boards of two separate
predecessor corporations to Spiros Corp. II.
Dr. Kabakoff will continue to be responsible for overseeing all aspects of
the Spiros(R) development program, including science and technology
development, product development and manufacturing as well as corporate
clinical, quality and regulatory activities.
Dura Pharmaceuticals is a San Diego-based developer and marketer of
prescription pharmaceutical products for the treatment of allergies, asthma
and related respiratory conditions. Dura's mission is to be the leading
pharmaceutical and drug delivery company with a focus in the high-growth U.S.
respiratory market. The Company is pursuing that goal through two major
strategies: (1) acquiring late-stage prescription pharmaceuticals for
marketing to high-prescribing respiratory physicians and (2) developing
Spiros(R), a proprietary dry powder pulmonary drug delivery system.
Except for the historical and factual information contained herein, the
matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements
which involve risks and uncertainties, including the timely development of
Spiros(R) products, uncertainties in the regulatory process, competitive
products and pricing, the ability of the Company to acquire products and/or
companies, the ability of the Company to add qualified sales representatives
in a timely manner, the Company's limited manufacturing experience,
seasonality, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may
differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements
represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company
disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.
SOURCE Dura Pharmaceuticals
 back to top
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com or
fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 197051
CONTACT:
Mr. Cam L. Garner, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 619-457-2553
|
