Pharmos Corp. (Nasdaq: PARSD) has announced that Dr. Elkan Gamzu has been appointed by the board as Chief Executive Officer from March 31. He will replace Dr. Haim Aviv, who continue as chairman.
Dr. Gamzu has been a director of the company since February 2000. He is currently a consultant to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and has held a number of senior executive positions in those industries, including Vice President, Project Management Leadership, of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, CEO of Cambridge Neuroscience and senior positions with Warner-Lambert and Hoffmann-La Roche. Dr. Gamzu has worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 1971. He is a graduate of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and has M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in experimental and physiological psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Pharmos said that Dr. Gamzu will be based at its headquarters in Iselin, New Jersey. He also will spend a significant amount of his time at the company's Rehovot, Israel offices, where its research and drug development activities are centered.
Dr. Aviv said "Elkan Gamzu's drug development, clinical and regulatory expertise, knowledge of our existing technologies and understanding of the biotech and pharmaceutical industries places Pharmos in good hands"
Dr. Gamzu said that he was excited about the potential of Pharmos's development and discovery programs, particularly dextofisopam for the treatment of IBS, which is entering a Phase 2b trial, and the earlier stage cannabinoid CB2 receptor program for pain and inflammation. He further stated, "Haim Aviv has been a leading figure in the biotech industry for the past twenty years. I am very pleased that Pharmos will continue to benefit from his in-depth knowledge of the company and our industry. We wish him all the best in his retirement."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 27, 2007
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