Press Release
Claude H. Nash Joins Accera, Inc. as Chairman of the Board
Broomfield, CO, December 8, 2004 - Accera Inc. announced today the appointment of Claude H. Nash, Ph.D. to Chairman of the Board. Dr. Nash has been a leading figure in the biotechnology industry as President of ViroPharma, Inc. He brings to Accera more than 20 years of executive management experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
"The pioneering approach taken by Accera to tackling neurodegenerative diseases of aging, particularly Alzheimer's disease, represents a fresh and exciting new opportunity in our industry," said Dr. Nash. "I look forward to working with the Accera team as we overcome the challenges inherent in clinical development of a ground-breaking therapeutic product and building a successful company."
"We are extremely fortunate to have a Chairman with Dr. Nash's insights and experience helping us to bring our lead drug candidate, AC-1202, through the clinic. Claude has a proven track record of success in developing approved drugs and building a commercially successful biotech company. He is the ideal person to provide leadership in guiding Accera's product development program towards commercialization," said Dr. Steve Orndorff, the founder, President and CEO of Accera, Inc.
Claude Nash is currently the Vice President of Research and Development at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute. Previously he was the founder, CEO, and chairman of ViroPharma Inc. where he oversaw the development of several antiviral drugs, successfully raised $430 M in capital and achieved a $1.2 B market capitalization for the company following its Initial Public Offering. Prior to founding ViroPharma, Dr. Nash was Vice President of infectious disease and cancer research at the Schering-Plough Research Institute where he initiated new strategic technologies for drug discovery and advanced three new drugs into development. Throughout his career he has managed the research and development of more than twenty drugs in the areas of infectious diseases, cancer, hypertension and pain. In the past he worked for several large pharmaceutical companies including Sterling-Winthrop, Smith Kline & French, and Eli Lilly. He is currently a director of Adolor, Inc. Dr. Nash earned his Ph.D. degree in microbial genetics and biochemistry from Colorado State University.
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