Biohaven Adds Clifford Bechtold as Chief Operating Officer
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- (NYSE: BHVN) - Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. ("Biohaven" or the "Company") and its wholly owned subsidiary, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced the appointment of Clifford Bechtold as the company's first Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Bechtold will focus on further optimizing Biohaven's infrastructure to support the efficient development and commercialization of a diverse portfolio of therapeutic candidates across multiple neurological disorders.
"Cliff brings a unique background to our team that covers both drug development strategy and optimizing biopharma organizations for execution. This will be vital as we advance our five lead compounds through development and prepare to commercialize a broad portfolio of innovative therapies for patients with severe and untreated neurologic disorders," said Vlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven.
Clifford Bechtold, Chief Operating Officer
Clifford Bechtold joins Biohaven with more than 25 years of broad drug development experience and a track record of optimizing organizations and capabilities. Most recently, from November 2013 to October 2017, he served as Development Team Leader for Genetically Defined Diseases at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS). In this role, he led a team that developed innovative strategies and executed on two novel programs in neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to these disease areas, Mr. Bechtold has in-depth experience in advancing a number of programs from discovery to launch in diverse disease areas including virology, oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and neuroscience. At BMS, he also served as Head of Biologics Strategy and Operations from October 2011 to November 2013, playing key roles in optimizing that company's biologics development and manufacturing capabilities. Prior to BMS, from 2009 to 2011, Mr. Bechtold served as Vice President, Strategic Operations at Adnexus Therapeutics. Prior to that, Mr. Bechtold held multiple positions at BMS including roles in Discovery, Clinical Development and Project Planning and Management from 1991 to 2009. Mr. Bechtold holds a Master of Science degree in Medical Microbiology from Creighton University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science degree from South Dakota State University.
"I am very excited to join Biohaven at this time, when the Company has already made significant progress in rapidly advancing a portfolio of near-term product candidates. I look forward to working with the leadership team to bring these assets to the market while continuing to build a diverse innovative portfolio," said Mr. Bechtold.
About Biohaven
Biohaven is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, late-stage product candidates targeting neurological diseases, including rare disorders. Biohaven has combined internal development and research with intellectual property licensed from companies and institutions including BMS, AstraZeneca AB, Yale University, Catalent, ALS Biopharma LLC and Massachusetts General Hospital. Currently, Biohaven's lead development programs include multiple compounds across its CGRP receptor antagonist and glutamate modulation platforms. The company's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and traded under the ticker symbol BHVN. More information about Biohaven is available at www.biohavenpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company's business and product candidate plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about the future success of the Company's product candidates through development and commercialization. The use of certain words, including the "believe" and "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve the plans and objectives disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements are described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2017. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contact
Dr. Vlad Coric
Chief Executive Officer
Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.
Phone: (203) 404-0410
Email: vlad.coric@biohavenpharma.com
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SOURCE Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.
