Biopartners Appoints New CSO, Dr Conrad Savoy
Baar, Switzerland 29 May 2007: Biopartners Holdings AG has appointed a new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) to the vacant position. Dr Conrad Savoy, who previously held the position of Head of Pharma Development at Biopartners, has been promoted to the CSO position with immediate effect.
With extensive experience in regulatory affairs and clinical development, Dr Savoy’s appointment reflects the exciting time in the company’s development with a portfolio of products at stages ranging from pre-launch to clinical Phase III. These include Valtropin®, daily formulation recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), one of the first two biosimilars to have received EMEA approval, and an innovative and patented sustained-release formulation of rhGH, developed for once-a-week administration. Scheduled for launch in 2010, the once weekly formulation rhGH is designed to enhance patient convenience and compliance. It is the only sustained release rhGH formulation in Phase III development, for a European market estimated to be worth 250 million USD.
Biopartners’ CEO, Mr Jean-Noël Treilles, commented “Dr Savoy has been successfully managing the clinical development of our endocrinology products and is well-suited to overseeing the development of both our innovative biopharmaceuticals and our biosimilars. In addition to our human growth hormone products, in the next few years Biopartners will bring to market interferon beta (Biferonex®), interferon alpha (Alpheon®) and ribavirin (Ravanex®).
Dr Savoy joined Biopartners in 2001 as Head of Pharma Development where he led the development of Valtropin (rhGH) through to EU marketing authorization as well as the development of the sustained-release rhGH. Prior to joining Biopartners, Dr. Savoy spent 10 years at Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd in various senior positions in global drug development, including Global Regulatory Affairs Leader. He holds an MBA from the Open University Business School, United Kingdom, and a PhD from the University of Basel, Switzerland.