Former Pfizer Inc. Senior Director Joins Growing MusclePharm Medical Advisory Board
DENVER, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MusclePharm Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("MusclePharm" or the "Company") (OTCBB: MSLP), an expanding U.S. nutritional supplement company, is pleased to announce the addition of Richard Ogden, PhD, to its medical advisory board.
"It is a great honor to welcome Dr. Ogden to the MusclePharm team," stated Cory Gregory, President of MusclePharm. "Dr. Ogden's extensive knowledge and experience in launching HIV medications for global pharmaceutical companies offers MusclePharm a considerable benefit as we venture into the clinical realm of therapeutic nutritional supplementation with our innovative whey protein product, MuscleGel®. We believe Dr. Ogden's expertise will help lead the way as we explore the various opportunities in the medical application of MusclePharm's products."
MusclePharm is presently seeking Medicaid reimbursement for MuscleGel®, beginning with the State of New York. MuscleGel® is a unique whey protein supplement gel formulated to assist in the treatment and prevention of muscle loss in HIV patients. Following a successful meeting with New York Office of Health Insurance Policy representatives in Albany on March 28, 2011, the Company is currently gathering the necessary documentation to submit to Medicaid officials over the next several weeks to finalize the Medicaid approval process for MuscleGel® reimbursement.
Dr. Ogden is the co-founder of RORR Inc. ("RORR"), a medical, scientific consulting and educational company focused on viral infectious diseases, including HIV, and the incorporation of strategic planning for clinical research programs and product development in the antiviral and oncology therapeutic areas. Clients of RORR include fledgling pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are developing innovative HIV treatments, as well as the International AIDS society.
Prior to his tenure at RORR, Dr. Ogden spent considerable time in a variety of roles at Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Agouron"), before it was acquired by Pfizer Inc. in 2001. His career at Agouron began with his role as a Senior Scientist before successful terms as a Group Leader in Medicinal Chemistry, Principal Scientist and Manager of New Projects Research and, ultimately, as the Director of Scientific Development.
Dr. Ogden was a team member in the discovery and development of the early protease inhibitor Nelfinavir (Viracept®). He assisted in the clinical launch of Nelfinavir (Viracept®), providing medical education in the HIV/AIDS clinical and patient communities, along with the evaluation of proposals for post marketing clinical research in the HIV/AIDS area.
Dr. Ogden held the position of Senior Director of Scientific Affairs, HIV, for Pfizer Inc. He also supported the pre-marketing activities for many other clinical agents in the HIV/AIDS and oncology therapeutic areas. Additionally, Dr. Ogden served as a representative on the International AIDS Society Industry Liaison Forum.
"Following data released at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2011) in March 2, 2011, the need to sustain muscle mass in patients with HIV and AIDS is more evident now than ever," continued Mr. Gregory. "The FRAM study (Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Change in HIV Infection) concluded that lower leg and arm muscle mass, as well as higher abdominal visceral fat, equate to shorter survival in people living with HIV and AIDS. A variety of pharmaceutical options exist to build muscle mass but additional options are needed due to detrimental factors with these therapies such as high cost, toxicities, routes of administration (intramuscular injections) and side effects. MuscleGel® offers a simple, low cost, easy to use alternative for not only helping to treat but assisting in the prevention of muscle loss. We believe that Dr. Ogden will be fundamental in assisting and directing us in our pursuit to make MuscleGel® available to HIV patients worldwide."
Dr. Ogden has written for numerous scientific and educational publications. He has also co-edited a book on Protease Inhibitors in AIDS Therapy and a book on Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors in AIDS Therapy as well. Dr. Ogden received his MA in Chemistry and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Cambridge University in England.
About MusclePharm Corporation
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, MusclePharm is a healthy life-style company that develops and manufactures a full line of National Science Foundation approved nutritional supplements that are 100% free of banned substances. Based on years of research, MusclePharm products are created through an advanced six-stage research protocol involving the expertise of top nutritional scientists and field tested by more than one hundred elite professional athletes from various professional sports leagues, including the National Football League, Mixed Martial Arts, and Major League Baseball. The Company's products address all categories of an active lifestyle, including muscle building, weight loss, and maintaining general fitness through a daily nutritional supplement regimen. MusclePharm is sold in over 120 countries and available in over 5,000 U.S. retail outlets, including GNC and Vitamin Shoppe. MusclePharm products are also sold in over 100 online stores, including bodybuilding.com, Amazon.com and Vitacost.com. For more information, please visit www.musclepharm.com.
Forward Looking Statements
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Investor Contact:
Cory Gregory
President
303-396-6100
www.musclepharm.com
SOURCE MusclePharm Corporation
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