IRVINE, Calif., June 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Bioniz, a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of first-in-class multiple-cytokine inhibitory therapeutics to address immuno-inflammatory diseases and cancer, announced today the expansion of its Board of Directors with the addition of David Pyott, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Allergan, Inc. Mr. Pyott, a leader in specialty pharmaceutical markets and a medical aesthetics pioneer, brings more than thirty years of international business experience in the pharmaceutical industry to Bioniz and has been widely recognized as one of the world's leading CEOs.
"I am honored that David, a visionary and experienced pharmaceutical industry executive, has joined our board at this exciting time in Bioniz's development," said Dr. Nazli Azimi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bioniz. "As a rapidly evolving biopharmaceutical company, David's extensive industry experience and guidance will be invaluable as we continue to grow Bioniz and develop a first-in-class therapeutic platform with multiple-cytokine inhibitors."
Mr. Pyott commented, "The innovative nature of Bioniz's technology, the quality of its scientific foundation, and the commitment of its team, attracted me to join the board at this critical stage in Bioniz's life cycle. I look forward to working with the management and the other Board members to pioneer the development of novel therapeutics for a variety of immune-mediated diseases as well as cancer."
Most recently, David Pyott served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Allergan, Inc. from 1998 through its $71 billion acquisition by Actavis Pharmaceuticals in March 2015. During his 17 year tenure, Allergan was transformed from a small eye care business into a global, multi-specialty health care company with leading portfolios in eye care, neuroscience, medical dermatology, medical aesthetics (most notably Botox®), and urologics. Before joining Allergan, Mr. Pyott served as Head of the Novartis Nutrition Division and as a member of the Executive Committee of Novartis AG, working over 17 years in several positions in strategic planning, marketing and general management in Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Malaysia and the United States. In addition, Mr. Pyott serves as Lead Director and a member of the Board of Directors of Avery Dennison Corporation, a member of the Supervisory Board of Royal Philips, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Chapman University, a member of the Governing Board of the London Business School, President of the International Council of Ophthalmology Foundation and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Mr. Pyott holds a Diploma in International and European Law from the Europa Institute at the University of Amsterdam, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh and a Master of Business Administration degree from the London Business School.
About Bioniz
Bioniz is a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of first-in-class multiple-cytokine inhibitory therapeutics to address immuno-inflammatory diseases and cancer, with an initial focus on orphan diseases. Bioniz leverages a world class expertise in cytokine biology, originating in research conducted at the National Institutes of Health, to create a therapeutic platform and a new generation of multiple-cytokine inhibitors with selective specificity. Selective targeting of multiple cytokines that have redundant functions improves on the traditional approach of single anti-cytokine therapy and therefore increases the therapeutic potential of Bioniz compounds. Bioniz's technology is protected by US and international patents, which are solely owned by Bioniz. For more information, please visit http://www.bioniz.com .
Contact: David Eichhron Director of Corporate Affairs Bioniz 949-273-6000 David.eichhorn(at)bioniz(dot)com
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Bioniz David Eichhorn +1 (949) 273-6000 Ext: 1
