SAN DIEGO, Jan. 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trius Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:TSRX) announced today that J. Craig Thompson has been appointed to the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer. With more than 18 years of pharmaceutical marketing and sales experience, Craig will initially be responsible for developing the commercial strategy, positioning and planning for the potential launch of torezolid phosphate, an IV and orally administered second generation oxazolidinone in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.
Before joining Trius, Craig was Vice President of Marketing for Pfizer's Specialty Care Business Unit where he was directly responsible for the U.S. commercial strategy for products with over $1.5 billion in annual U.S. sales including the first generation oxazolidinone Zyvox®, the anti-infectives Tygacil®, Vfend® and Eraxis® as well as Rapammune® and Relistor®. Prior to his 7 years at Pfizer, Craig served in positions of increasing responsibility during his 12 years at Merck where he most notably worked on the commercial planning and marketing activities for the company's anti-infectives Primaxin®, Mefoxin® and Cancidas® as well as on major cardiovascular brands including Vytorin®, Zetia® and Zocor®.
"Craig is a key addition to our management team and we believe that his strong infectious disease background combined with his experience in launching industry blockbusters will provide Trius with valuable commercial leadership," stated Dr. Jeffrey Stein, President and CEO of Trius Therapeutics. "His success in infectious diseases is especially relevant to his newly created role at Trius. Craig launched and led Primaxin to a position of growth, led the recent re-launch of Zyvox and effectively managed the co-positioning of Zyvox and Tygacil following the Pfizer/Wyeth merger."
"Trius provides a unique opportunity to launch torezolid phosphate, a best-in-class oxazolidinone, and to contribute to the development of its preclinical portfolio," stated Craig Thompson. "I look forward to joining this exciting company, leading the commercialization of torezolid phosphate into a successful anti-infective drug and creating value for our customers and shareholders."
About Trius Therapeutics
Trius Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative antibiotics for serious, life-threatening infections. The company's lead investigational drug, torezolid phosphate, is an IV and orally administered second generation oxazolidinone in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), the first such trial to be initiated under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA). In addition to the company's torezolid phosphate clinical program, it is currently conducting two preclinical programs using its proprietary discovery platform to develop antibiotics to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. For more information, visit www.triusrx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential benefits and protections afforded to Trius through current or potential patents and the potential duration of those benefits. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: Trius' ability to obtain additional financing; the success and timing of Trius' preclinical studies and clinical trials; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; the performance of third-party manufacturers; changes in Trius' plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; Trius' ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; Trius' ability to freely commercialize its product candidates; and the loss of key scientific or management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Trius' most recently filed SEC documents, including its Registration Statement on Form S-1 that was originally filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2009, and the amendments thereto, and Trius' Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in such filings. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Trius undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.