Acorda Therapeutics Chief Scientific Officer Andrew R. Blight Receives Purchase College Science Entrepreneurship Award
HAWTHORNE, N.Y., Apr 26, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.(Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that Andrew R. Blight, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, is the recipient of the Inaugural Purchase College Scientific Entrepreneurship Award. The award recognizes individuals for their scientific excellence, ability to integrate science with business, vision and innovation, social responsibility and providing a positive role model for future generations. Dr. Blight was selected by a panel of Purchase College science faculty in partnership with the Westchester County Association.
"Andy is a rare scientist who, having made seminal contributions to his field academically, chose to enter industry so that his work could be applied directly to the benefit of patients," said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. "Andy blends great scientific rigor and insight with a deep sense of humanism. Andy's work has already helped to deliver a novel medication that helps improve walking in people suffering with multiple sclerosis. I am thrilled that Purchase College has publicly recognized his unique abilities, which we at Acorda have long admired."
Dr. Blight is a leader in spinal cord injury (SCI) research and has made several important contributions to the field, particularly on the role of demyelination in SCI. He pioneered the therapeutic application of 4-amimopyridine in SCI, which contributed to Acorda Therapeutics' development of the recently FDA-approved therapy AMPRYA(TM) (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg.
Prior to joining Acorda, Dr. Blight held academic positions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Purdue University and New York University. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal on Neurotrauma and has served as a member of the NIH NSDA review committee. Dr. Blight received his BS in Zoology and his Ph D. in Zoology/Neurobiology from the University of Bristol, UK.
About Acorda Therapeutics
Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing therapies for multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and other nervous system disorders. The Company's marketed products include AMPYRA(TM) (dalfampridine), a potassium channel blocker approved as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); this was demonstrated by an improvement in walking speed; and ZANAFLEX CAPSULES(R) (tizanidine hydrochloride), a short-acting drug for the management of spasticity. The Company's pipeline includes a number of products in development for the treatment, regeneration and repair of the spinal cord and brain.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding management's expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects should be considered forward-looking. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including Acorda Therapeutics' ability to successfully market and sell Ampyra in the United States and to successfully market Zanaflex Capsules, the risk of unfavorable results from future studies of Ampyra, the occurrence of adverse safety events with our products, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain regulatory approval of Ampyra outside of the United States and our dependence on our collaboration partner Biogen Idec in connection therewith, competition, failure to protect Acorda Therapeutics' intellectual property or to defend against the intellectual property claims of others, the ability to obtain additional financing to support Acorda Therapeutics' operations, and unfavorable results from our preclinical programs. These and other risks are described in greater detail in Acorda Therapeutics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Acorda Therapeutics may not actually achieve the goals or plans described in its forward-looking statements, and investors should not place undue reliance on these statements. Acorda Therapeutics disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.
SOURCE: Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.
Acorda TherapeuticsJeff Macdonald, 914-347-4300 ext. [email protected]