Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SGYP) announced today the appointment of Marino Garcia as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development. In this newly created position reporting directly to the CEO, Mr. Garcia will play a critical leadership role in Synergy's strategic corporate planning and business development activities.
Marino Garcia, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Photo: Business Wire)
"Marino brings a tremendous level of experience to Synergy in areas that will greatly benefit from his insights and leadership skills," said Dr. Gary S. Jacob, Chief Executive Officer of Synergy. "We look forward to his contributions as we continue to move plecanatide closer to market and explore new opportunities that further drive shareholder value."
"I am excited to be joining Synergy," said Marino Garcia, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Synergy. "This company has quickly transitioned from a small biotech start-up to a late-stage drug development company with major clinical milestones in the near term. Synergy is well positioned to be a key player in a very dynamic gastrointestinal market."
Immediately prior to joining Synergy, Mr. Garcia served as Vice President of Global Business Development at Aptalis Pharma, a privately held specialty company focused on the gastrointestinal and cystic fibrosis markets. From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Garcia served as Vice President of US Commercial Operations and New Product Development at Aspreva Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Zurich-based Vifor Pharmaceuticals in 2008. Earlier in his career, Mr. Garcia served in various U.S. and International leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Eli Lilly & Co, Schering Plough, and Pfizer. Mr. Garcia received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, and an M.B.A. from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University in London, Ontario.
About Synergy
Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of novel drugs for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and disorders. Synergy has discovered proprietary analogs of the human GI hormone, uroguanylin, the natural agonist for the intestinal guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) receptor. Both Synergy's lead GC-C agonist, plecanatide, and next-generation GC-C agonist, SP-333, mimic uroguanylin's natural functions by binding to and activating the GC-C receptor in the GI tract to stimulate fluid and transit required for normal bowel function. Plecanatide is in phase 3 clinical trials for chronic idiopathic constipation and a phase 2b study for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. SP-333 is in phase 2 development for opioid-induced constipation and is also being explored for ulcerative colitis. For more information please visit www.synergypharma.com.
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CONTACT: Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Media
Gem Gokmen, 212-584-7610
Mobile: 646-637-3208
or
Investor
Bernard Denoyer, 212-297-0020
Mobile: 203-300-8147
SOURCE: Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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