Jazz Pharmaceuticals Appoints Head of Research and Development

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAZZ) announced today that the company has appointed Jeffrey Tobias, MD, as Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer, effective October 17.

"Jeff has a unique combination of drug development skills and broad medical knowledge, combined with a passion for the commercial side of the business," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals.  "His breadth of experience, business acumen, strong intellect and focus on patients will serve us well as we build a targeted pipeline of important new medical treatments that will complement our growing commercial products."

Dr. Tobias has twenty years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry across all phases of drug development, including regulatory filings in the U.S. and Europe.  He has broad experience with a variety of therapeutic products spanning numerous clinical areas, including pain and neurological disorders.  Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Research & Development at NeurogesX, where he has also been Chief Medical Officer since 2005.  He was previously Managing Director of an independent biopharmaceutical consulting firm from 1996 to 2006, where he supported clients in all aspects of clinical development, technology assessment and strategic planning.  Prior to that, he served in various roles in drug discovery and clinical development at ALZA, Chiron and XOMA. 

In addition to his expertise in the creation, evaluation, and development of novel products utilizing proprietary drug-delivery technologies, Dr. Tobias has ten years of experience in clinical and academic medicine in the areas of internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine.  He received board-certification in both Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine and completed training in Critical Care Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He received his bachelor's degree and medical degree with honors from the University of Illinois.

About Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing innovative products to meet unmet medical needs in neurology and psychiatry.  For further information see www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com.

SOURCE Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.