Hana Biosciences Appoints Craig W. Carlson as Chief Financial Officer
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Mar 11, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Hana Biosciences (OTCBB:HNAB), a biopharmaceutical company focused on strengthening the foundation of cancer care, today announced that Craig W. Carlson has joined its Executive Committee and will assume the title of Chief Financial Officer, effective April 1, 2010. Mr. Carlson will assume responsibility for financial and treasury operations of the Company.
"We are pleased to welcome Craig to Hana's management team and look forward to his leadership and guidance as we explore options to support our registration and commercialization strategy for Marqibo," said Steven R. Deitcher, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Hana Biosciences. "His experience managing financial operations in the healthcare industry will be invaluable as we prepare to initiate our rolling New Drug Application submission for Marqibo in relapsed/refractoryadult acute lymphoblastic leukemia this year."
"I welcome the opportunity to join Hana's executive management team at an exciting and pivotal time in the Company's history," said Craig W. Carlson. "Data from Marqibo's pivotal Phase 2 trial in relapsed/refractoryadult lymphoblastic leukemia, demonstrates the short and long term commercial opportunity for this product. I look forward to contributing my experience in strategic financial management to increase shareholder value."
Mr. Carlson has held senior leadership and executive financial management positions for the past 25 years, including positions at two public healthcare companies. Mr. Carlson has experience negotiating strategic relationships, managing M&A activities, and raising capital. Most recently, Mr. Carlson served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for 20 Cent Ventures, a new business incubator focused primarily on applying life science technologies to high value niche opportunities worldwide, where he was responsible for managing several businesses, including four international subsidiaries. From 2006 to 2008, he was Chief Financial Officer of Neurobiological Technologies, Inc. and from 1993 to 2005 Mr. Carlson served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Cygnus, Inc. Mr. Carlson received his M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, his M.S. Ed. in Counseling from Hofstra University, and his B.A. in Political Science from Union College.
About Hana Biosciences
Hana Biosciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing new, differentiated cancer therapies designed to improve and enable current standards of care. The company's lead product candidate, Marqibo(R), potentially treats acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphomas. The Company has additional pipeline opportunities, some of which, like Marqibo, improve delivery and enhance the therapeutic benefits of well characterized, proven chemotherapies and enable high potency dosing without increased toxicity. Additional information on Hana Biosciences can be found at www.hanabiosciences.com.
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Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding, the timing, progress and anticipated results of regulatory processes, including potential NDA filings and other regulatory submissions relating to Marqibo, and clinical development of Marqibo; and statements regarding the potential of Marqibo to replace existing therapies and the expected benefits Marqibo may have for patients with relapsed ALL compared to existing therapies. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Hana's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from these statements. Among other things, there can be no assurances that any of Hana's clinical and regulatory development efforts relating to Marqibo will be successful; that the data of the rALLy trial will be sufficient to support approval by the FDA of an NDA for Marqibo; that Hana will have completed all other activities necessary for the filing of an NDA or other submission with the FDA; and that the results of the rALLy trial and other clinical trials of Marqibo will support Hana's claims or beliefs concerning Marqibo's safety and effectiveness. Additional risks that may affect such forward-looking statements include Hana's need to raise additional capital to fund its product development programs, including Marqibo, to completion, Hana's reliance on third-party researchers to develop its product candidates, and its lack of experience in developing and commercializing pharmaceutical products. Additional risks are described in the company's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 16, 2009. Hana assumes no obligation to update these statements, except as required by law.
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SOURCE: Hana Biosciences, Inc.
CONTACT: Hana Biosciences, Inc.
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