Orexigen Therapeutics Names New Board Of Director

Dr Dixon brings 30 years of pharmaceutical development and commercial experience to the Orexigen board. His experience includes commercialisation strategy, new product launches and portfolio evaluation in cardiometabolic and primary care markets with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), Merck, and SmithKline & French (now a part of GlaxoSmithKline). Most recently, she was the president of global marketing and chief marketing officer at BMS Company.

Prior to joining BMS, Dr Dixon held executive management positions at Merck, serving as senior vice president of marketing. Dr Dixon has also held executive management positions with Osteotech and Centocor and various positions at SmithKline in marketing, regulatory affairs and project management.

In addition to the Orexigen board, Dr Dixon has been a director of Dentsply International since July 2005 and Furiex Pharmaceuticals since February 2010.

Michael Narachi, president and CEO of Orexigen, said: “Having submitted the New Drug Application for Contrave, we are now highly focused on the regulatory review process, establishing our commercial plans, and seeking a partner for our obesity products. Wendy brings extensive commercial experience in primary care that will be valuable as we prepare for the approval and launch of Contrave.”

Dr Dixon said: “Orexigen has emerged as a leader in the development of obesity therapies in a time where there is a tremendous unmet need. I look forward to being part of the Orexigen board and supporting the Company’s vision of providing obese patients with important new treatment options.”