24th Jan 2006 07:00
Vernalis PLC24 January 2006 24th January 2006 Vernalis Announces the Launch of its US Sales Force Vernalis plc (LSE: VER, Nasdaq: VNLS) today announced the launch of its UnitedStates based specialty neurology sales force. This 34 strong team is marketingVernalis' Parkinson's disease drug Apokyn(R), as well as co-marketing thecompany's migraine drug, Frova(R), alongside Endo Pharmaceuticals. The team, led by Sylvia McBrinn, SVP of US Operations, has a broad coverage ofthe specialist neurology market place in the United States and is focusing uponthe high prescribing physicians who treat Parkinson's disease and migraine inthe key Metropolitan areas. Simon Sturge, CEO of Vernalis commented, "Having two in-market products and nowour own US sales force is a significant differentiator for Vernalis comparedwith our European peers. This, together with our strong development pipeline,gives me great confidence in Vernalis' future." Sylvia McBrinn, SVP of US Operations, said "Our sales team is comprised ofindividuals who are highly skilled and experienced in their field. We are verypleased to have attracted a number of personnel who have had experience ofselling Apokyn(R) in the past, including the top sales person and thoseresponsible for Trade, as well as for the managed care contracts." -- ends -- Enquiries: Vernalis plc +44 (0) 118 977 3133Simon Sturge, Chief Executive OfficerTony Weir, Chief Financial OfficerJulia Wilson, Head of Corporate Communications Brunswick Group +44 (0) 20 7404 5959Jon ColesWendel Verbeek Notes to Editors About Sylvia McBrinn Sylvia McBrinn joined Vernalis as SVP of US Operations in June 2005, bringingmore than 25 years of pharmaceutical sales experience. Whilst employed by Pharmacia as Global Vice President of Marketing for Bextra(R), she was instrumental in leading the most successful 2002 launch in the U.S. She was also recognised for her leadership in growing market share for Mirapex(R) whilst serving as Global Vice President, Marketing, for neurology products. About Vernalis Vernalis is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on products marketed tospecialist neurologists. The company has two marketed products, Frova(R) andApokyn(R), and a development pipeline focused on neurology and central nervoussystem disorders. The company has six products in clinical development andcollaborations with leading, global pharmaceutical companies including Novartis,Biogen Idec and Serono. Vernalis has established a US commercial operation topromote Apokyn(R) and co-promote Frova(R) alongside its North American licensingpartner, Endo Pharmaceuticals, propelling the company towards its goal ofbecoming a sustainable, self-funding, R&D-driven, specialty pharmaceuticalcompany. For further information about Vernalis, please visit www.vernalis.com. Safe Harbour statement: this news release may contain forward-looking statementsthat reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events.Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events coulddiffer materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factorsincluding the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability ofthe discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of clinicalstudies, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the successfulintegration of completed mergers and acquisitions and achievement of expectedsynergies from such transactions, and the ability of the Company to identify andconsummate suitable strategic and business combination transactions. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Vernalis PLC