Onyx Pharmaceuticals Appoints Dr. Helen Torley as Chief Commercial Officer

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONXX) today announced that it has appointed Helen Torley, M.B. Ch. B., M.R.C.P.,  as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.  In her role, Dr. Torley will report to N. Anthony Coles, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, and will be responsible for all commercial activities related to Nexavar and the potential launch of carfilzomib, development of the company's European commercial organization, and growth initiatives to increase commercial activities and capabilities in the United States and in Europe.

"Helen is a strategic thinker with broad operating and general management experience," said Dr. Coles. "Her track record of successfully growing established brands such as Epogen® and Aranesp® in nephrology and of leading multiple successful product launches − including Prolia®, Sensipar®, and Miacalcin®− will be instrumental as we prepare for the potential launch of carfilzomib, our next-generation proteasome inhibitor, and the next stage of Nexavar's growth. We will also rely on Helen's significant expertise to expand our commercial organization internationally."

"Onyx has established a strong foundation for commercial success, and has a number of promising new therapies in its pipeline to potentially help additional patients living with cancer," said Dr. Torley. "I look forward to partnering with the team to achieve our vision of becoming a multi-product company that transforms the lives of cancer patients and their families with innovative new medicines."  

Before joining Onyx, Dr. Torley spent nine years at Amgen where she most recently served as Vice President and General Manager of the Bone Health Business Unit, after leading the company's Nephrology Business Unit for five years. From 1997 to 2002, she held various senior management positions at Bristol Myers Squibb, including Regional Vice President of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sales, and Head of Cardiovascular Global Marketing. She began her industry career at Sandoz/Novartis, where she ultimately served as Vice President of Medical Affairs, overseeing phase 3b and 4 clinical studies across all therapeutic areas, including oncology. Before joining Sandoz/Novartis, Dr. Torley was in medical practice as a senior registrar in rheumatology at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland. Dr. Torley received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees (M.B. Ch.B.) from the University of Glasgow and is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians (M.R.C.P). Dr. Torley currently serves on the advisory board of the Women Business Leaders of the US Healthcare Industry Foundation.

About Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Based in South San Francisco, California, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for improving the lives of people with cancer and other serious diseases. The company is focused on developing novel medicines that target key molecular pathways. For more information about Onyx, visit the company's website at www.onyx-pharm.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" of Onyx within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding the progress and results of the clinical development, safety, regulatory processes, commercialization efforts or commercial potential of Nexavar and carfilzomib, These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including risks related to the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products.  Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements.  Reference should be made to Onyx's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading "Risk Factors" and Onyx's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a more detailed description of such factors.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this release.  Onyx undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this release except as required by law.  

SOURCE Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.