Portola Pharmaceuticals Appoints Ernie Meyer as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.® (Nasdaq:PTLA) today announced the appointment of Ernie Meyer as executive vice president and chief human resources officer, effective August 20. As a member of the Executive Committee, Mr. Meyer will report to John T. Curnutte, M.D., Ph.D., interim co-president of Portola and head of research and development, with responsibility for leading the development and execution of the Company’s global human resources strategy.

“In this period of high growth, Ernie is a vital addition to the leadership team and I am thrilled to welcome him to Portola,” said Dr. Curnutte. “His extensive expertise and proven leadership track record will be critical to our success as we seek to build on our existing portfolio, expand our footprint, and continue to attract and retain the talented individuals needed to accelerate our mission of delivering life-saving medicines to patients.”

Mr. Meyer joins Portola from Celgene, where he spent more than 13 years in positions of increasing scope and responsibility. Most recently, Mr. Meyer served as executive vice president of human resources & corporate services, and played a significant role in the company’s growth and expansion from approximately 700 to more than 7,000 employees in 37 countries.  His experience and expertise extend across the spectrum of human resources, including developing talent; implementing inclusion, diversity and culture initiatives; integrating new businesses; geographic expansions and designing innovative total rewards strategies. Prior to joining Celgene, Mr. Meyer held various global rewards leadership roles at Motorola and The Travelers Insurance Company.

“Portola is well known for its scientific innovation and patient-centered culture,” said Mr. Meyer. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to help the leadership team foster and develop these strengths, while also continuing to drive significant growth and opportunity for the Company and transform patient care in areas of unmet need.”

About Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Portola Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics that could significantly advance the fields of thrombosis and other hematologic diseases. The Company’s two FDA-approved medicines are Andexxa® [coagulation factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo], the first and only antidote for patients treated with rivaroxaban and apixaban when reversal of anticoagulation is needed due to life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding, and Bevyxxa® (betrixaban), the first and only oral, once-daily Factor Xa inhibitor for the prevention of VTE in adult patients hospitalized for an acute medical illness. The company also is advancing cerdulatinib, a Syk/JAK inhibitor for the treatment of hematologic cancers.

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 growth potential for Portola and potential of Portola’s products and product candidates. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the risk that physicians, patients and payers may not see the benefits of utilizing Andexxa or Bevyxxa for the indications which they are approved; our ability to continue to manufacture our products and to expand approved manufacturing facilities; the possibility of unfavorable results from additional clinical trials involving Andexxa; the risk that the EMA may not approve Andexxa in the currently anticipated timelines or at all, and that any marketing approvals or reimbursement limitations may have significant limitations on its use; the risk that Portola may not obtain additional regulatory approvals necessary to expand approved indications for Andexxa; our expectation that we will incur losses for the foreseeable future and will need additional funds to finance our operations; the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses and capital requirements; our ability to successfully build a hospital-based sales force and commercial infrastructure; our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates; and our ability to retain key scientific or management personnel. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in our most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. We undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.