SAN DIEGO, Aug. 11, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apricus Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:APRI), a biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative medicines to meet the needs of patients, today announced the appointment of Sandford D. Smith to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Smith brings a wealth of senior management and board level experience from his leadership roles in both the biotech and pharmaceutical industries with leading companies such as Genzyme and Bristol-Meyers Squibb. Under Mr. Smith's leadership of Genzyme's international business, international revenues approached $3 billion, growing from a modest base to represent more than 65% of Genzyme's total sales. His appointment to the Apricus Board of Directors is effective immediately.
"We are extremely pleased to further strengthen our board with Sandy, who has had vast experience creating strategic value for life science companies at both the operating and board levels. Sandy's successful track record, most recently at Genzyme, includes overseeing the launch of twelve new products in various therapeutic areas, substantial global business development experience, and extensive service as a public company board member," said Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Smith stated, "I am looking forward to participating as a member of the Apricus Board during this exciting time with the Company's first commercial partner launches and sales of Vitaros in the international markets. My focus always has been on the intersection of clinical development and commercial activities, and I look forward to working with the Apricus Board and management team to achieve commercial success."
For almost four decades, Mr. Smith has been actively engaged in the development of the international business for biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, Mr. Smith served as President, International Group, and Executive Vice President of Genzyme Corporation, until the company's acquisition by Sanofi in 2011, after which he worked with Sanofi on the design and integration of the international business into Sanofi's global organization. Mr. Smith joined Genzyme in 1996, and initially served as Vice President and General Manager of Genzyme International and President of Genzyme Specialty Therapeutics.
As President of the International Group, he oversaw the successful launch of twelve new products in the therapeutic categories of genetic lysosomal disorders, oncology, renal disease, and biomaterials for surgical indications in markets around the world.
Prior to joining Genzyme, Mr. Smith was President and Chief Executive Officer at Repligen Corporation, a publicly traded biotechnology company, from 1986-1995. Mr. Smith previously held leadership positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb from 1977-1985, including Director of Operations for Bristol-Myers Squibb–Asia Pacific and Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Planning for the Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Division. For the last two years, Mr. Smith has been advising publicly traded biopharmaceutical companies on developing successful global strategies, including M&A, in the orphan/rare disease space. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Cytokinetics, Inc., Aegerion Pharmaceuticals and Neuralstem, Inc. He is on the advisory council for Brigham & Women's Hospital, where he created the Smith Scholars Residency in medical education to benefit physicians from the resource-poor nations.
About Apricus Biosciences, Inc.
Apricus Biosciences, Inc. (APRI) is a biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative medicines to meet the needs of patients. The Company's lead product, Vitaros®, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, is approved in Europe and Canada and will be commercialized by Apricus' marketing partners, which include Abbott Laboratories Limited, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, Hexal AG (Sandoz), Recordati Ireland Ltd. (Recordati S.p.A.), Bracco S.p.A. and Laboratoires Majorelle. The Company's second-generation Vitaros room temperature device is under development and is expected to enhance the product's commercial value. RayVa™, the Company's product candidate for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon, recently received FDA clearance to begin clinical studies. The Company intends to begin a Phase 2a trial with RayVa in the second half of 2014. Femprox®, the Company's product candidate for the treatment of female sexual interest/arousal disorder, has successfully completed an approximately 400-subject proof-of-concept study. The Company is currently seeking a strategic partner for Femprox.
For further information on Apricus, visit http://www.apricusbio.com.