PHENOMIX APPOINTS JAMES HARPER AND WILLIAM HARRIS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
San Diego, CA, July 19, 2007 — Phenomix Corporation, a drug discovery and development company, announced today that James Harper and William Harris have joined the Company’s Board of Directors. Harper retired after a 30 year career with Eli Lilly and Company and will bring to the Board his considerable commercialization and marketing experience in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Harris brings over 20 years of experience in the financial industry to the Board of Phenomix, including 16 years of financial management expertise in the life sciences industry. Harris is currently senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer at Xenoport, Inc. in Santa Clara, California.
"As PHX1149 moves from phase 2 toward an FDA-approved treatment for type 2 diabetes, Jim’s marketing and commercialization experience will help us to position ourselves in the global type 2 diabetes market." said Laura K. Shawver, Ph.D., chief executive officer and president of Phenomix. "Similarly, Bill has an extensive financial and operational background in the biopharmaceutical industry and will be an important addition to Phenomix’ Board of Directors. As our company continues to mature, his financial experience with a public company will be invaluable for Phenomix."
James Harper retired from Eli Lilly and Company in 2004, most recently having served as its group vice president and chief marketing officer. In that position he was responsible for global marketing of products exceeding $11 billion in sales. Prior positions held with Eli Lilly include president of its diabetes and growth disorders business group, vice president of global pharmaceutical marketing, president and CEO of Lilly’s subsidiary Advance Cardiovascular Systems and director/executive director of market research. Mr. Harper received his MBA from The Wharton School and a BA from Vanderbilt University. Harper also serves on the boards of Corcept Therapeutics, Anesiva, Inc. and ZymoGenetics, Inc. and is an advisor to Nomura Phase4 Ventures, the lead investor in Phenomix’ most recent round of private financing.
During his career at Xenoport, Harris has been responsible for all finance, accounting, investor relations and materials management functions. He successfully completed $106 million in private financings and raised $118 million in public offerings. Prior to joining Xenoport, Harris held finance and accounting positions with Coulter Pharmaceutical, Gilead Sciences and Ernst & Young. He received his M.B.A. from Santa Clara University and his B.A. in economics from UC San Diego.
About Phenomix Corporation
Phenomix is a drug discovery and development company building a portfolio of novel therapeutics for the treatment of major human diseases. Phenomix’ lead clinical candidate, PHX1149, is a DPP4 inhibitor in phase 2 testing as a once daily oral treatment for type 2 diabetes. Phenomix’ second program is directed at the treatment of hepatitis C through inhibition of the NS3/4A viral protease. Phenomix is based in San Diego, California. For more information, visit www.phenomix.com.
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