Immunex Expands Commercial Operation With New Sales Team

Search Blogs that Mention this News Release
Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services
Click this link to view linked Blogging Services
Immunex Expands Commercial Operation With New Sales Team
     Barry Labinger Appointed to Senior Vice President & General Manager,
          Scott Burton Joins Immunex as New Vice President of Sales
                          For ENBREL(R) (etanercept)

    SEATTLE, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunex Corporation (Nasdaq: IMNX) today
announced that the company will expand its commercial operations with a new
general manager overseeing the sales, marketing and development of franchises
for both ENBREL(R) (etanercept) and Specialty Therapeutics.
    Barry Labinger, vice president of marketing for ENBREL, has been promoted
to senior vice president and general manager at the company.  Since joining
Immunex in June 2000, Labinger has led initiatives to build the franchise for
ENBREL through the company's supply management program and other programs that
have established the product's leadership position.
    "Barry's core strength is pharmaceutical marketing that has helped
establish strong brands," said Peggy Phillips, executive vice president and
chief operating officer at Immunex.  "His strong leadership skills and
extensive experience will serve Immunex well as we position the company toward
the goal of achieving multi-billion dollar revenue growth over the coming
years."
    To take advantage of growing demand for ENBREL and potential new uses for
the product, the company announced that it will build its first Immunex sales
force to sell ENBREL.  This U.S. sales force will work with Wyeth-Ayerst,
which has been selling ENBREL since its launch in 1998.
    To lead the Immunex sales team, the company named Scott Burton as the new
vice president of sales for ENBREL.  Burton, who will join Immunex in
mid-September, will be responsible for hiring and managing the new sales team.
    "Scott is an exceptional individual who brings an impressive track record
of commercial success," said Phillips.  "We are excited to expand the presence
of ENBREL in the marketplace with a sales team that will focus on key
prescribers and potential new uses for the product."
    Labinger has more than 14 years of healthcare industry experience,
primarily in marketing and sales.  Prior to joining Immunex, he oversaw the
marketing for the U.S. diabetes franchise at Bristol-Myers Squibb, including
GLUCOPHAGE(R).  He also previously worked at Abbott Laboratories and Baxter
Healthcare Corporation.  Labinger earned a Bachelor's degree with a major in
Economics from Northwestern University and has a Masters of Management degree
from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
    Burton has more than 14 years of experience in field sales and product
management, including work in the managed care, cardiovascular and
anti-infective markets.  Most recently, he was business director of regional
operations at Bristol-Myers Squibb where he oversaw a sales team of more than
130 people.  He has also worked at Pfizer Laboratories.  Burton earned a B.S.
in Marketing from Utah State University.
    Immunex Corporation is a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to
improving lives through immune system science innovations.

    NOTE:  Except for the historical information contained herein, this news
release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and
uncertainties.  Among the factors that could cause actual results or timelines
to differ materially are risks associated with research and clinical
development, regulatory approvals, our supply capabilities and reliance on
third-party manufacturers, product commercialization, competition, litigation
and other risk factors listed from time to time in reports filed by Immunex
with the SEC, including but not limited to risks described under the caption
"Important Factors That May Affect Our Business, Our Results of Operations and
Our Stock Price" within our most recently filed Form 10-Q.  The
forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent our
judgment as of the date of this release.  Immunex undertakes no obligation to
publicly update any forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Immunex Corporation
http://www.immunex.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/434644.html
CONTACT:
media, Robin Shapiro, +1-206-389-4040, or
investors, Mark Leahy, +1-206-389-4363, both of Immunex
Corporation