Targacept Announces New Product-Focused Organizational Structure
Winston-Salem, NC
August 27, 2002
Targacept, Inc., a privately held research and development pharmaceutical company focused on neuronal nicotinic receptor-based therapeutics, announced changes to its organizational structure. These changes reflect Targacept’s product development focus and coincide with its recent acquisition of the marketed product Inversine® (mecamylamine HCl) and intellectual property related to mecamylamine HCl from Layton Bioscience, Inc.
William S. Caldwell, Ph.D., formerly Vice President, Drug Discovery, was named Vice President, Drug Discovery and Development. Dr. Caldwell has been with Targacept since its inception. He joined R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJRT) in 1987 as a research and development chemist and, during his tenure, has held positions of increasing responsibility. He was named Vice President of Drug Discovery in 1997, when Targacept was founded as a wholly owned subsidiary of RJRT. He continued in this role following Targacept’s spin-out as an independent company in August 2000.
Merouane Bencherif, M.D., Ph.D., formerly Vice President, Biological Sciences, has been named Vice President, Preclinical Research. Dr. Bencherif has over 25 years experience in medicine, physiology and neurochemistry research focusing on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic neurotransmission and on purinergic, muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic systems. Prior to joining RJRT in 1993, Dr. Bencherif worked as a research associate in the neurochemistry department at the Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Geoffrey C. Dunbar, M.D., formerly Vice President, Clinical Research and Development, has been named Vice President, Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Dunbar joined Targacept in June 2001 from Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was Vice President, Neuroscience Clinical Research and Development. From 1990 to 1996, Dr. Dunbar served as Director and Vice President of Clinical Research and Development for SmithKline Beecham. Dr. Dunbar also held positions of increasing responsibility at Organon, Wyeth Research and Beecham Pharmaceuticals.
Patrick M. Lippiello, Ph.D., formerly Vice President, Scientific and Program Development, has been named Vice President, Strategic Planning and Project Management. Dr. Lippiello has more than 25 years of experience in biochemistry and pharmacology research, focusing on nicotinic receptor pharmacology, and more than 15 years of experience in scientific management. He joined RJRT in 1982 and has been with Targacept since its inception.
“In a very short period of time, Targacept has grown from a research company to a product-focused research and development company,” said Dr. J. Donald deBethizy, President and CEO. “The new titles more accurately reflect the skills and responsibilities of these individuals and their expanding departments that now include new employees we have recruited from the pharmaceutical industry.”
About Targacept, Inc.
Targacept, Inc., based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a world leader in the discovery and development of neuronal nicotinic receptor-based therapies for neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and gastrointestinal diseases. The company has products in research and development for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, ulcerative colitis, depression, pain, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.
Additional information about Targacept can be obtained at the company’s website, www.targacept.com.
Inversine® is a registered trademark of Targacept, Inc.
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