Newly Established Medac Pharma, Inc. Appoints Industry Veteran Terri Shoemaker as President and CEO

CHICAGO, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Medac Pharma, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company focused on the development of new molecules and improving the effectiveness of existing medicines, has announced the appointment of Terri Shoemaker as President and CEO.

Located in Chicago, IL, Medac Pharma, Inc. is the wholly owned subsidiary of medac GmbH, a global pharmaceutical company that has been developing, manufacturing and marketing pharmaceuticals for more than 40 years in 70 countries. 

"With the experience and resources of our parent company, we're well-positioned to bring clinically tested products to the U.S. that have the potential to improve quality of life for patients across multiple diseases," said Ms. Shoemaker.   

Prior to joining Medac Pharma, Inc., Ms. Shoemaker served as Vice President of Sales at InterMune, Inc. where she developed a large-scale commercial sales infrastructure in preparation for the launch of a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.  Before joining InterMune, Inc. in 2009, Ms. Shoemaker co-founded BioPharm Strategic Solutions, providing pre-commercial, commercial, operational and strategic guidance for start-up pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations.  In 2002, Ms. Shoemaker joined Pharmion Corporation, serving as National Sales Director and then Sr. Director U.S. Commercial Operations, building and leading its specialty oncology organization.  In 2008, when Celgene Corporation acquired Pharmion Corporation, Ms. Shoemaker remained as Executive Director of Strategic Commercial Operations, working as part of the executive transition team charged with building the new and fully aligned commercial organization.  

For 15 years prior to Pharmion Corporation, Ms. Shoemaker held multiple leadership positions at DuPont Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2000, including Senior Director of Sales, Director of Clinical Development & Education and Director Marketing and Health Management.

Under the leadership of Ms. Shoemaker, Medac Pharma Inc.'s initial focus will be on autoimmune diseases and oncology.  The company's lead product candidate is being developed to optimize methotrexate, a foundational drug critical to many therapeutic regimens.

Ulrich Kosciessa, Managing Director for medac GmbH and Chairman of Medac Pharma Inc.'s Board of Directors, stated, "We're delighted to have elected Ms. Shoemaker as President and CEO of Medac Pharma, Inc.  With more than 25 years experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, her expertise will be an invaluable resource as we advance our business efforts in the U.S."

In addition to her appointment as President and CEO, Ms. Shoemaker has been a board member of Medac Pharma, Inc. since June 2012.  Supporting Ms. Shoemaker, Medac Pharma, Inc.'s management team previously worked together and brings a successful performance history to the company.  

Medac Pharma, Inc. will continue expanding its Chicago-based team in the coming months as it approaches the launch of its first product and the in-licensing of additional products from medac GmbH.  In oncology alone, medac GmbH markets nearly 40 products outside the U.S., establishing an opportunity for Medac Pharma, Inc. to in-license and sell multiple products from its parent company.  Concurrently, given Medac Pharma, Inc.'s development and commercialization capabilities, it is well positioned to partner with other companies seeking ways to penetrate the U.S. market.

About Medac Pharma, Inc.

Medac Pharma, Inc. is the wholly owned subsidiary of medac GmbH, a well known and respected global pharmaceutical company that has been making scientific and therapeutic discoveries for more than 40 years.

Medac Pharma, Inc. is focused on developing therapies with the potential to make meaningful differences in patients' lives.  The company's approach is to improve existing agents by enhancing the mode of delivery, addressing safety profiles and inventing ways to maximize efficacy.

For more information, please visit www.medacpharma.com.

For Media:
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
Andrew Mielach
[email protected]; (212) 375-2694

SOURCE Medac Pharma, Inc.