SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced the appointment of Srdjan (Serge) Stankovic, M.D., M.S.P.H., as Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development. With a background in clinical and academic psychiatry, Dr. Stankovic brings over 20 years of executive level experience in drug development and clinical and medical affairs.
"I am delighted to welcome Serge to our team"
"I am delighted to welcome Serge to our team," said Steve Davis, ACADIA's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Serge has a track record of transforming promising research into important medicines that address unmet needs of patients. We look forward to his contributions as we advance NUPLAZID™ through NDA review for Parkinson's disease psychosis, prepare for the planned commercialization of NUPLAZID in the United States and continue our efforts to explore the full potential of NUPLAZID to treat patients suffering from additional CNS disorders."
"There is a strong need for continued innovation in the treatment of CNS disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia," said Dr. Stankovic. "ACADIA is at the forefront in developing groundbreaking medicines to treat debilitating symptoms associated with these diseases. I look forward to leading the team in advancing the promising development programs with NUPLAZID."
Dr. Stankovic has built and led multidisciplinary teams for small molecules and biologics in therapeutic areas including neurology, psychiatry, oncology, cardiology and pain. He has led teams to achieve approvals of KEPPRA®, FENTORA®, TREANDA®, NUVIGIL® and ARISTADA™.
Dr. Stankovic most recently served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Alkermes plc. from 2013 to 2015. Prior to Alkermes, he held the position of Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development for Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd. He was appointed to this role following Teva's acquisition of Cephalon, Inc. where he served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Clinical Research. Dr. Stankovic also held executive positions in research and development at Forest Laboratories, Inc., Neurogen Corporation, Johnson and Johnson, and UCB. Dr. Stankovic received his M.D. from the University of Belgrade and holds a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACADIA is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system disorders. ACADIA has a pipeline of product candidates led by NUPLAZID™ (pimavanserin), for which we have submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) in Parkinson's disease psychosis to the FDA and which has the potential to be the first drug approved in the United States for this condition. The FDA has classified the NUPLAZID NDA as having Priority Review status. Pimavanserin is also in Phase II development for Alzheimer's disease psychosis and has successfully completed a Phase II trial in schizophrenia. ACADIA also has clinical-stage programs for glaucoma and, in collaboration with Allergan, Inc., for chronic pain. ACADIA maintains a website at www.acadia-pharm.com to which we regularly post copies of our press releases as well as additional information and through which interested parties can subscribe to receive e-mail alerts.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to statements related to the potential for NUPLAZID (pimavanserin) to be the first drug approved in the United States for Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) and the potential timing of such approval, if approved at all, by the FDA; the potential contributions of Dr. Stankovic to ACADIA; the progress, timing and results of ACADIA's drug discovery and development programs, either alone or with a partner, including the progress and expected timing of clinical trials; the ability of NUPLAZID to treat debilitating symptoms associated with multiple CNS disorders; the potential of the NUPLAZID development programs; and the benefits to be derived from ACADIA's product candidates, including pimavanserin. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug discovery, development, approval and commercialization, and collaborations with others, and the fact that past results of clinical trials and past regulatory decisions may not be indicative of future trial results or future regulatory decisions, respectively. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to ACADIA's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as well as ACADIA's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ACADIA undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.
Contacts
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Lisa Barthelemy, Director of Investor Relations
(858) 558-2871