Villa Guardia, Italy - November 9, 2009, Villa Guardia, Italy - Gentium S.p.A., a biopharmaceutical company, announced the members of its new board of directors and the appointment of an interim CEO.
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The new Board is comprised of the following seven members, who were elected at the recent ordinary meeting of shareholders:
Dr. Francesco Bellini - Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bellus Health Inc., a global company focused on the development and commercialization of healthcare products, Chairman of Picchio International and Prognomix Inc., co-author of more than 25 patents over his 20-year career as a research scientist. Dr. Bellini is currently a Board member of Molson Coors Brewing Company and also serves as a Board member of the Government of Canada's Science Technology Innovation Council. Dr. Bellini was co-founder of Biochem Pharma as well as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1986 until it was sold in 2000. Dr. Bellini will serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gentium as well as Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Ms. Gigliola Bertogolio - Formerly an audit partner at Reconta Ernst & Young (the Italian affiliate of Ernst & Young LLP), previous member of Gentium's Board of Directors from December 2004 to August 2009. Ms. Bertoglio will continue to chair the Audit Committee.
Mr. Marco Codella - Chief Financial Officer of Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.A., previous member of Gentium's Board of Directors from June 2005 to August 2009.
Dr. Glenn Cooper - Previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Indevus Pharmaceuticals, has held numerous executive level positions at drug development companies and various clinical and regulatory positions with Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Cooper will chair the Compensation Committee.
Dr. Laura Ferro - Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Gentium S.p.A., previous Chairperson of Gentium's Board of Directors from 2001 to August 2009.
Dr. Khalid Islam - Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Arpida Ltd, has held various executive functions in Marion Merrell Dow and Hoechst Marion Roussel, has over 22 years experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Dr. Islam is the founder of Ki Consulting AG and co-founder of Sirius Healthcare Partners GmbH, both of which advise small to mid cap life science companies.
Dr. Bobby W. Sandage, Jr. - Executive Vice President for Endo Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company focused on analgesic products and products to treat various urological and endocrinology conditions. In addition, Dr. Sandage held various positions at Indevus Pharmaceuticals, including Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Sandage will chair the Scientific Oversight Committee. ■