Acorda Therapeutics Names Jane Wasman President, International

ARDSLEY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (ACOR) today announced that it has named Jane Wasman as President, International. Ms. Wasman most recently has served as Acordas Chief, Strategic Development and General Counsel. In her new role, Ms. Wasman will lead the Companys efforts to identify and launch in-licensing and commercial opportunities outside the United States. She will also be responsible for managing Acordas collaboration with Biogen Idec (BIIB) in their international development and commercialization of FAMPYRA (prolonged-release fampridine tablets). Ms. Wasman will also continue to lead the Companys global strategic development and will retain the title of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

I am delighted that Jane will be spearheading our proactive efforts to ready Acorda for expansion into international markets. Janes career has included extensive international pharmaceuticals experience, in addition to her leadership of numerous key initiatives at Acorda. These will be valuable assets as we prepare for international expansion, said Ron Cohen, Acordas President and CEO. We believe that identifying opportunities outside the United States, as well as determining how to best realize the value of our existing pipeline and future in-licensed compounds in international markets, can contribute importantly to shareholder value.

The Companys initial international efforts will be supported by existing U.S. infrastructure and personnel, and the Company does not plan to establish offices outside the United States at this time. FAMPYRA will continue to be developed and commercialized outside the United States by Biogen Idec.

About Acorda Therapeutics

Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with MS, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.

Acorda markets AMPYRA (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg, in the United States as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an improvement in walking speed. AMPYRA is marketed outside the United States as FAMPYRA (prolonged-release fampridine tablets) by Biogen Idec under a licensing agreement from Acorda. AMPYRA and FAMPYRA are manufactured under license from Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited.

The Company also markets ZANAFLEX CAPSULES (tizanidine hydrochloride) and Zanaflex tablets, a short-acting drug for the management of spasticity. Acorda also receives sales royalties on tizanidine hydrochloride capsules, an authorized generic version of ZANAFLEX CAPSULES distributed by Watson Pharmaceutics, Inc. under its agreement with Acorda.

Acorda is developing an industry-leading pipeline of novel neurological therapies. The Company is studying AMPYRA to improve a range of functional impairments caused by MS, as well as its use in other neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy and post-stroke deficits. In addition, Acorda is developing clinical stage compounds AC105 for acute treatment of spinal cord injury and GGF2 for treatment of heart failure.GGF2 is also being investigated in preclinical studies as a treatment for neurological conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury. Additional preclinical programs include rHIgM22, a remyelinating monoclonal antibody for the treatment of MS, and chondroitinase, an enzyme that encourages nerve plasticity in spinal cord injury.

Forward-Looking Statements

More here:
Acorda Therapeutics Names Jane Wasman President, International