Alkermes, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALKS) today announced that Richard Pops will
assume the duties of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective
immediately. Mr. Pops, who will retain his duties as Chairman of the
Board, will replace David Broecker who is leaving the company.
“I am enthusiastic about returning to the role of Chief Executive
Officer. Alkermes is an exciting company and David leaves it in a strong
position as we prepare for the approval of exenatide once weekly,
complete the VIVITROL® pivotal study to expand the label into
the opioid dependence indication and expand our pipeline of innovative
medicines,” said Richard Pops. “I look forward to leading Alkermes as we
develop medications that result in value to patients, as well as to our
shareholders, in the years to come.”
Richard Pops, 47, served as Chief Executive Officer of Alkermes from
February 1991 through April 2007. In April 2007, he assumed the role of
Chairman of the Board along with continuing to remain actively involved
as a full-time employee of the company in charge of strategy. Under his
leadership, Alkermes grew from a privately held company with 25
employees to a publicly traded biotechnology company with more than 500
employees and two commercial products.
Mr. Broecker has resigned, effective immediately, from his position as
President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of
Directors.
“On behalf of the Board and Alkermes employees, I would like to thank
David Broecker for his numerous contributions to our company over the
past eight years. We wish him much success in the future,” commented
Pops.
About Alkermes
Alkermes, Inc. is a fully integrated biotechnology company committed to
developing innovative medicines to improve patients' lives. Alkermes
developed, manufactures and commercializes VIVITROL® for
alcohol dependence and manufactures RISPERDAL® CONSTA® for
schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. Alkermes' robust pipeline includes
extended-release injectable, pulmonary and oral products for the
treatment of prevalent, chronic diseases, such as central nervous system
disorders, addiction and diabetes. Headquartered in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, Alkermes has research facilities in Massachusetts and a
commercial manufacturing facility in Ohio.
VIVITROL® is a registered trademark of Alkermes, Inc. and
RISPERDAL® CONSTA® is a registered trademark of
Janssen-Cilag group of companies.
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