Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. Announces Appointment of EVP, Research & Development

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary J. Bridger PhD as Executive Vice President, Research and Development.

"We are delighted to welcome Gary to the Xenon team," commented Simon Pimstone, Xenon's President and CEO. "As a co-founder and CSO of AnorMED, he was responsible for the development of MOZOBIL, a hematopoietic stem cell mobilizing agent for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma patients, from discovery through completion of phase III trials. Having also held an executive position at Genzyme, Gary will bring a unique experience to Xenon of small and large public biotech and orphan drug development. I am confident that Gary will make many major contributions to Xenon's future growth."

Dr. Bridger has spent over 20 years in the life sciences industry including positions at Johnson Matthey, AnorMED and Genzyme. Dr. Bridger was a primary member of the team that managed AnorMED's acquisition by Genzyme for US$580 million. Prior to joining Xenon he was a partner with Ventures West Capital Management and he currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Alectos Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Bridger received his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Manchester UK and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Boston College. He is the co-author of more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and 40 granted US patents, mainly in the field of chemokine receptor antagonists.

About Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. Xenon is a privately owned, clinical genetics-based drug discovery and development company engaged in developing novel therapies for rare diseases. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://www.xenon-pharma.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are not based on historical fact. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.