Eiger BioPharmaceuticals Announces Key Operational Hires to Senior Management Team: Jim Welch, Chief Financial Officer; Jim Shaffer, Chief Business Officer

PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Incorporated, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for Orphan Diseases, announced today the appointments of James Welch, as the Company's Chief Financial Officer and James Shaffer, as the Company's Chief Business Officer.

"Jim Welch and Jim Shaffer bring decades of complementary, relevant experience overseeing commercial, business and financial operations, at specialty pharma, biotech and large pharmaceutical companies," said David Cory, President and CEO of Eiger.  "These key operational hires bolster a strong senior management team that will take the company to the next level."

James Welch brings over 20 years of healthcare financial and business experience in diagnostics, emerging biotechnology and specialty pharmaceutical companies, including a decade as a public company CFO, raising over $500 million in 2 IPOs, multiple public secondary offerings and private financings.  Prior to Eiger, Mr. Welch served as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Virobay Incorporated.  Previously, Mr. Welch served as Chief Financial Officer of Acelrx Pharmaceuticals, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary at Cerimon Pharmaceuticals, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary at Rigel Pharmaceuticals, and earlier in his career was the Chief Financial Officer of Biocircuits diagnostics.  Mr. Welch received a B.A. in Business Administration from Whitworth College and an M.B.A. from Washington State University.

James Shaffer brings extensive commercial leadership and business experience with a track record of 20 years success in large pharmaceuticals, emerging biotechnology and specialty pharmaceuticals.  Prior to joining Eiger, Mr. Shaffer served as Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Halozyme Therapeutics.  Previously, Mr. Shaffer was Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Clinical Data, which was acquired by Forest Labs for $1.2 billion.  Mr. Shaffer was Vice President of Commercial Operations for New River Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Shire for $2.6 billion.  Mr. Shaffer held positions of increasing responsibility in commercial and business operations at Prestwick Pharmaceuticals, InterMune, GlaxoSmithKline, and Merck.  James Shaffer is a graduate of the Ohio State University where he earned a BS Degree in Economics and Master's Degree in Business Administration.

About Eiger
Eiger is a privately held clinical stage, biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of multiple, novel therapies for Orphan Designation Diseases.  For additional information about Eiger, please visit www.eigerbio.com.

Investors: Jim Shaffer, Eiger Bio, Inc., 919-345-4256, [email protected]

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SOURCE Eiger Bio, Inc.