Press Release
NeurogesX Appoints Michael Markels to Lead Sales & Marketing
New Executive Brings Commercial Experience to Neuropathic Pain CompanySan Carlos, Calif. - January 21, 2004
NeurogesX today announced it has appointed Michael Markels as Senior Director, Sales and Marketing. Mr. Markels, who has more than 13 years experience in sales, marketing and commercial development for Glaxo Wellcome and InterMune, will manage commercial activities for NeurogesX’s pain treatment products, now in clinical trials.
“Michael’s broad pharmaceutical experience in sales and strategic marketing make him an excellent addition to our management team,” said Anthony A. DiTonno, CEO and President of NeurogesX. “With progress in our Phase III programs for both post-herpetic neuralgia and painful HIV-associated neuropathy and initiation of our painful diabetic neuropathy program, it is time we begin laying the groundwork for commercialization. Michael is setting the stage for a potential launch in 2006.”
Mr. Markels was most recently Senior Director of the Infectious Disease and Oncology Business Unit for InterMune, Inc., where he hired and managed a sales force and marketing team to educate health professionals about InterMune products for both hepatitis C and systemic fungal infections.
Prior to his work with InterMune, Mr. Markels held several management positions at Glaxo Wellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline) and Glaxo, Inc. from 1990 to 2001. Most recently, he was Director of Respiratory Global Commercial Development in Glaxo Wellcome’s London, U.K. office, where he directed the global project team to maximize Glaxo’s respiratory products, including Advair, Flovent and Serevent. Earlier, he was Senior Product Manager for Respiratory Marketing at Glaxo Wellcome’s North Carolina facility, where he developed and managed marketing plans for Serevent and Ventolin. Prior to that, he held a similar position managing the company’s marketing for its HIV and oncology disease management programs.
Mr. Markels received an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a BS in biological science from Colorado State University.
About NeurogesX
NeurogesX (neur-o-GEE-six) is a late-stage, venture-financed, specialty pharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for neuropathic pain through advanced neuroscience insights and innovative delivery technology. The company’s first product, a topical treatment for neuropathic pain, has been evaluated in a Phase II randomized double-blind trial for both the treatment of pains associated with shingles and HIV neuropathy-associated pain. Three Phase III multi-center pivotal clinical trials focused on these indications are currently enrolling patients. The company is also planning trials in painful diabetic neuropathy which will start in the second half of 2004. NeurogesX has raised $30 million in total equity investments since its first funding round in June 2000. Investors include Alta Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, Montreux Equity Partners, TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association), Duke University, University of North Carolina and Walden International. For more information about NeurogesX, go to www.neurogesx.com.
NeurogesX is a trademark of NeurogesX, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are those of their respective companies
Contacts:
Anthony A. DiTonno
CEO and President
NeurogesX, Inc.
aditonno@neurogesx.com
650-508-2116
Mike Jackman
Jackman Communications
mike@jackman.com
415-388-3216