Althea Technologies Announces Expanded Roles For Key Executives

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Althea Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of development and manufacturing services for biopharmaceutical products, announced today the promotion of Rick Hancock to the position of President and CEO, Chris Duffy to Senior Vice President of Operations and E.J. Brandreth to Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory. The promotion of Althea's experienced science and technology leaders supports the company's continued commitment to building and maintaining a robust and dynamic management team.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020925/LAW010LOGO)

Mr. Rick Hancock, promoted to President and CEO, was formerly President of Althea. Mr. Hancock has worked in the biotechnology industry for 30 years and held positions at Hybritech/ Eli Lilly, Genetics Institute, and The Immune Response Corporation, before joining Althea in 1998. He has been instrumental in establishing Althea's expertise in gene-based therapeutics and DNA vaccines, as well as in the design, construction, and regulatory compliance of Althea's cGMP manufacturing facilities. In his new position as President and CEO, Mr. Hancock will play a stronger role in the development of strategies to continue Althea's growth and success.

Mr. Chris Duffy, who began his career at Althea twelve years ago, has also been instrumental in the development of the company. He has over twenty-six years of experience in the biotech industry managing biopharmaceutical development and sterile manufacturing operations. When Mr. Duffy first joined Althea, he managed the Quantitative PCR group, and has since held positions of increasing responsibility in operations management. Under his leadership, Althea's Fill Finish group has seen rapid growth and has transitioned from a clinical to a commercial operation. Mr. Duffy's expertise in science and business will contribute to Althea's continued growth as he moves to his new role as Sr. Vice President of Operations.  

Mr. E.J. Brandreth likewise has had over twenty years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, having managed numerous agency inspections and led the process validation programs for five CBER/EMEA product launches. Additionally, Mr. Brandreth serves on BIOCOM'S FDA Committee, Interphex's Advisory Board, and PDA's Biotech Advisory Board as Chairman. Prior to Althea, Mr. Brandreth was with Favrille and Biomarin where he supported a variety of clinical products and launched two commercial products. He joined Althea over four years ago, and has successfully led Althea through a PAI inspection and two unscheduled FDA inspections. With Mr. Brandreth's guidance, knowledge, and leadership, Althea received a license to produce its first commercial product. In his new role as Sr. Vice President of Quality and Regulatory, Mr. Brandreth will play a critical role in leading Althea into its future expansion of commercial operations.

"I am very pleased to announce the promotions of Rick Hancock, Chris Duffy and E.J. Brandreth," said Dr. Magda Marquet, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Althea Technologies. "These individuals truly embody the spirit of Althea by providing, through their leadership and dedication, unmatched service to the customer with uncompromised quality. I am confident each executive will play a crucial role in leading Althea to continued future growth."

"For years, Rick Hancock, Chris Duffy and E.J. Brandreth have tirelessly worked to ensure that Althea's clients achieve their objectives," said Matt Mackowski, Co-Chair of Althea Technologies. "In fulfilling this task Rick, Chris and E.J. have each demonstrated the personal qualities of leadership, professionalism and integrity, which have enabled Althea to surpass its own records in growth, productivity and quality. It is a pleasure to recognize these three individuals through such well-deserved promotions."

About Althea Technologies

Althea Technologies is a fully integrated, contract development and manufacturing organization located in San Diego, CA providing clinical and commercial product development services. Althea offers cGMP drug product filling in both vials and syringes, and production of microbial-derived recombinant proteins and plasmid DNA. In conjunction with these manufacturing operations, Althea offers comprehensive development services including: upstream and downstream process development, analytical development, lyophilization cycle, complex formulation, product release and ICH-compliant stability testing. Althea's formulation technology platform includes Crystalomics®, a proprietary technology that offers a formulation solution for large molecule products that must be delivered at high concentrations or as sustained release formulations. For more information, visit www.altheatech.com.

SOURCE Althea Technologies, Inc.