Pharming Group nominates new CEO

After serving with the company for almost seven years, Dr Pinto will retire from his current position as CEO. He has agreed to remain associated with Pharming and temporarily fulfill a nonexecutive position to ensure an orderly and smooth transition.

Dr de Vries has extensive senior level experience in both the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Prior to 4-Antibody, Dr de Vries was the CEO of Morphochem. Earlier in his career, he held numerous senior business and commercial positions at Novartis as well as at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. Dr de Vries also holds nonexecutive directorships in two private life science companies.

To ensure a smooth transition, Dr Pinto has agreed to act as nonexecutive chairman of the management board until the next annual general meeting of shareholders of the company in 2009.

Jaap Blaak, chairman of Pharming’s board of supervisory directors, said: “Pharming is very grateful to Francis Pinto who became CEO of the company in the most difficult period of its existence. Not only was he willing to accept the executive position initially without a cash component in his salary, but also invested a significant amount of his private money in the company and was able to convince other investors as well to help re-build Pharming. Under his leadership, Pharming was able to make a remarkable turnaround and is close to having its first products on the market.

“At the same time, I am convinced that Dr de Vries, through his successful international experience, his medical background and proven commercial track record, will be a valuable addition to the management of Pharming bringing both his big-pharma and small-biotech experience to the company. We are very fortunate that he has agreed to be nominated for appointment as CEO by our shareholders.”