TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cynapsus Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: CYNA ) (TSX: CTH ), a specialty CNS pharmaceutical company developing and preparing to commercialize a fast-acting, easy-to-use, sublingual thin film for the on-demand management of debilitating OFF episodes associated with Parkinson's disease ("PD"), today announced the appointment of Kristen Galfetti as Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications and Eric J. Pappert, MD as Vice President, Global Medical Affairs. Ms. Galfetti will report to Anthony Giovinazzo, President and CEO of Cynapsus, and Dr. Pappert will report to Albert Agro, Chief Medical Officer of Cynapsus. Both positions will be located in the U.S.
"It is a pleasure to welcome both Kristen and Eric to Cynapsus. As Cynapsus continues to advance our APL-130277 PD product candidate through Phase 3 clinical trials, we expect these two accomplished leaders will make significant contributions to advance APL-130277 from clinical development to commercialization," said Anthony Giovinazzo, President and CEO of Cynapsus. "Kristen and Eric both have extensive leadership and experience that will bring additional strength to our management team."
Ms. Galfetti has over 20 years of experience in investor relations and corporate communications. She has held key roles developing communications programs for small and large healthcare companies. Ms. Galfetti's recent corporate experience includes serving as Senior Director, Investor Relations at Sanofi responsible for integrating the Genzyme Corporation investor relations program post merger. Prior to Sanofi, Ms. Galfetti was Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at AMAG Pharmaceuticals where she created the dual functioning department. Ms. Galfetti held roles of increasing responsibility at Genzyme Corporation serving most recently as Senior Director, Investor Relations assisting with integrating the tracking stock structure communications into a single business story. Ms. Galfetti received her M.B.A. (with distinction) from Bentley University and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Vermont.
Dr. Pappert is a pharmaceutical development leader with over 10 years of experience in leading clinical development projects in CNS, ophthalmology, aesthetics, and autonomic disorders. He has developed multiple medical affairs departments, including intramural and extramural clinical research, training, education, reimbursement, and sales and marketing support. Dr. Pappert also directly supervised pharmacovigilance and drug safety services including the collection, monitoring, researching, assessment and evaluation of drug safety. Dr. Pappert was previously the Vice President, Clinical Neurology & Drug Safety, at Merz Pharmaceuticals. Prior thereto, he served as Vice President, Medical Affairs at Merz and Solstice Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Pappert received his medical degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine. He completed his residency in neurology in San Antonio, Texas and his movement disorders fellowship at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Immediately following his fellowship, Dr. Pappert remained on faculty at Rush Medical College in Chicago. He subsequently established a private practice in San Antonio, Texas and previously served as Director of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Dr. Pappert has published numerous scientific articles and co-edited the Textbook of Clinical Neurology. Dr. Pappert is board certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and fellowship trained in Parkinson's Disease/Movement Disorders and Neuropharmacology.
About Cynapsus
Cynapsus is a specialty Central Nervous System pharmaceutical company developing and preparing to commercialize a fast-acting, easy-to-use, sublingual thin film for the on-demand management of debilitating OFF episodes associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The Company recently completed a Phase 2 clinical trial for its product candidate, APL-130277, a sublingual formulation of apomorphine hydrochloride, or apomorphine. Apomorphine is the only molecule approved for acute, intermittent treatment of OFF episodes for advanced PD patients, but is currently only approved as a subcutaneous injection in the United States. APL-130277 is a "turning ON" medication designed to rapidly, safely and reliably convert a PD patient from the OFF to the ON state while avoiding many of the issues associated with subcutaneous delivery of apomorphine. It is designed to convert all types of OFF episodes, including morning OFF episodes, often considered the most difficult to treat. Cynapsus has initiated its Phase 3 clinical program for APL-130277, relying on the abbreviated Section 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway in the United States, and the Company intends to submit a new drug application in 2016.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including without limitation, the expected NDA submission of APL-130277 in 2016, and the expectation that APL-130277 will advance from clinical development to commercialization. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "expect," "predict," "potential," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, and include, but are not limited to, those factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-Q filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 12, 2015 and its other filings and reports in the United States with the SEC available on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov , and in Canada with the various Canadian securities regulators, which are available online at www.sedar.com . Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes or otherwise, except as required by law.
Neither the NASDAQ nor the TSX has approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.
Company Contacts: Cynapsus Therapeutics Anthony Giovinazzo President and CEO (416) 703-2449 x225 Cynapsus Therapeutics Andrew Williams COO & CFO (416) 703-2449 x253 Investor Contact: The Trout Group Marcy Nanus Senior Vice President (646) 378-2927 Media Contact: Russo Partners LLC Matt Middleman (212) 845-4272
