Press Release
NeurogesX Names Anthony DiTonno as CEO
Current President DiTonno Adds CEO Title; Former CEO Howard Palefsky Remains as Chairman of NeurogesXSan Carlos, Calif. - August 7, 2003
NeurogesX today announced that its Board has appointed Anthony A. DiTonno as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. DiTonno, who joined NeurogesX as President last April, will now serve as both CEO and President. Former NeurogesX CEO Howard Palefsky will remain as Chairman of NeurogesX, in addition to his duties as a General Partner of Montreux Equity Partners.
"In the few months that Tony has been president, he has shown strong leadership in our corporate partnering initiatives, our product branding efforts and our clinical regulatory work," said Howard Palefsky, chairman of NeurogesX. "His appointment as CEO recognizes the outstanding results and business vision he has already created for NeurogesX."
"As positive movement in our clinical efforts continues, we are encouraged by the industry’s response to the NeurogesX product road map and its market opportunities," said Anthony DiTonno. "I look forward to establishing NeurogesX as an innovative and successful business as we guide our products through the FDA process."
Mr. DiTonno, who has more than 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical and health care industries, joined NeurogesX in April 2003 as president and COO, after serving as executive vice president of marketing and sales at Enteric Medical Technologies, a successful medical device company acquired by Boston Scientific. Prior to Enteric, Mr. DiTonno was president and CEO of LifeSleep Systems, where the company received FDA approval for a sleep disorder product that was marketed nationally to consumers and sleep clinics.
Previously, he was vice president, general manager of Oclassen Pharmaceuticals, which developed treatments for skin disorders and sexually transmitted diseases, and was acquired by Watson Pharmaceuticals. He also held several management positions at Rorer Group (Rhone Poulenc Rorer), where he successfully directed the company’s flagship brand—Maalox®—from a professional product to a consumer product.
Mr. DiTonno holds an MBA from Drexel University, Philadelphia and a BS in business administration from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia.
About NeurogesX
NeurogesX (neur-o-GEE-six) is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on the development of products for the treatment of nerve signaling disorders. The company’s initial products are focused on the treatment of chronic and acute pain. The company’s first product, a topical treatment for neuropathic pain, has been evaluated in a Phase II randomized double-blind trial.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, Grove Street Advisors Affiliated Fund, 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
Stephen F. Ghiglieri
CFO
NeurogesX, Inc.
sghiglieri@neurogesx.com
650-508-2116
Mike Jackman
Jackman Communications
mike@jackman.com
415-388-3216