Horizon Pharma plc. (HZNP) Commercial Chief Resigns; Executive Committee Formed

Horizon Pharma plc Announces Management Executive Committee and Commercial Restructuring Following Close of Acquisition of Vidara Therapeutics International plc

DUBLIN, IRELAND, Sep 26, 2014 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- Horizon Pharma plc HZNP, -1.23% a specialty biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of products in arthritis, inflammation and orphan diseases, announced today the formation of an Executive Committee with responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Company. In addition, the Company has restructured its U.S. commercial organization into three divisions, each led by a general manager, who will report directly to Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer. Additionally, the Company also announced today the resignation of Todd N. Smith, executive vice president, chief commercial officer.

"The closing of the Vidara Therapeutics International plc acquisition provided us with the opportunity to create an organizational structure with the flexibility to accommodate a growing portfolio of products," said Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "As we continue to drive product sales and aggressively pursue potential acquisitions, we are developing a strong operating and financial platform for future growth. In addition, on behalf of the Company, I would like to thank Todd for his commercial and business development leadership and contribution to our progress over the last four years and we wish him success as he continues his career."

Horizon Pharma plc Executive Committee:

-- Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer
-- Robert F. Carey, executive vice president, chief business officer
-- Paul W. Hoelscher, executive vice president, chief financial officer
-- Barry J. Moze, executive vice president, corporate development
-- Jeffrey W. Sherman, M.D., FACP, executive vice president, research and development and chief medical officer

Horizon Pharma U.S. Commercial Organization - Divisional Leadership:

-- Terry Evans, senior vice president and general manager, primary care, managed care and trade
-- Brian Andersen, vice president and general manager, orphan
-- Vikram Karnani, vice president and general manager, specialty

Mr. Walbert also announced the appointment of Elizabeth M. Higashi, CFA as vice president, investor relations. Ms. Higashi has extensive experience in both investor relations (IR) and corporate communications, having served as both a corporate officer and consultant. She led the IR and communications programs at International Minerals & Chemical Corporation, SFN Companies, Inc. and The Times Mirror Company before moving into consulting. She was most recently president of Higashi Advisors and was previously a principal at Sard Verbinnen & Co. Ms. Higashi is the board chair of the Chicago chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute and serves on the board of directors of the non-profit Heartland Health Outreach in Chicago. She graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in political science and received an M.A. in urban studies from Occidental College.

Biographies of the executives mentioned above are available on the Company's corporate website at www.horizonpharma.com.

About Horizon Pharma plc Horizon Pharma plc is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated products that address unmet medical needs. The company markets a portfolio of products in arthritis, inflammation and orphan diseases. The company's U.S. marketed products are ACTIMMUNE(R) (interferon gamma-1b), DUEXIS(R) (ibuprofen/famotidine), RAYOS(R) (prednisone) delayed-release tablets and VIMOVO(R) (naproxen/esomeprazole). Horizon's global headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. For more information, please visit www.horizonpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding driving product sales and pursuing potential acquisitions. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release, and actual results may differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks regarding Horizon's ability to commercialize products successfully, including risks relating to availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement and pricing from government and third party payers, Horizon's ability to enforce its intellectual property rights to its products, whether Horizon will be able to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Vidara and manage the integration of the companies successfully and Horizon's ability to complete additional acquisitions and execute on its growth strategy. For a further description of these and other risks facing the Company, please see the risk factors described in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in those filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, except as may be required by law.

Contacts: Elizabeth M. Higashi, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations


Investors: Ami Bavishi
+1 212-213-0006 ext. 344

Media:
E. Blair Clark-Schoeb
+1 917-432-9275

SOURCE: Horizon Pharma plc