Neuren Appoints Joseph Horrigan, M.D., as VP of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwire - Aug 10, 2012) - Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: NEU) is pleased to announce that Dr Joseph Horrigan has joined the company as Vice President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs. Dr Horrigan most recently served as Assistant Vice President and Head of Medical Research at Autism Speaks, North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization. In that role, he oversaw the organization's medical research and training programs including consulting with academic and industry groups on clinical trial design and endpoints in neurodevelopmental disorders. He is a widely respected neuropsychiatrist and has been a practicing child and adolescent psychiatrist since 1992. 

From 2002 until he joined Autism Speaks, Dr Horrigan coordinated paediatric drug development in the Neurosciences Medicines Development Center at GlaxoSmithKline. He also directed GlaxoSmithKline's Medicines for Children Advisory Network, which consults with all therapeutic areas on paediatric drug development issues. He has led Phase 1 through 4 clinical development programs across a wide range of neurologic and psychiatric conditions including bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, insomnia, paediatric epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, Dr Horrigan is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Commenting on Dr Horrigan's appointment, Larry Glass, Neuren's CEO, said: "We are delighted to have Joe join the company. His expertise and insight will contribute immensely to our clinical development programs. As we advance the clinical trials in neurodevelopmental disorders and head injury, Joe's leadership and perspective will be critical to study design and execution in these important and challenging indications which clearly depend on creative and ethical research to be successful."

Dr Horrigan added, "Neuren is uniquely situated to make a significant contribution to the delivery of better therapeutics for several rare and common CNS conditions that have a growing public health impact. In addition, Neuren has emerged as a thoughtful and adept clinical development organization with a sophisticated understanding of unmet medical needs and an appreciation for the importance of always placing the patient first. It is a real pleasure to join this team."

About Neuren
Neuren Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company developing new therapies for brain injury, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Neuren presently has two clinical-stage molecules, NNZ-2566 and Motiva®, in Phase 2 clinical trials largely funded by the US Army and the National Health and Medical Research Council, respectively. Through its subsidiary, Perseis Therapeutics Limited, Neuren is developing monoclonal antibodies against Trefoil Factors 1 and 3, proteins produced by cancer cells that are associated with cancer spread and reduced patient survival.