Orexigen(R) Therapeutics Appoints Wendy Dixon, Ph.D. to Board of Directors

SAN DIEGO, April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity, today announced the appointment of Wendy Dixon, Ph.D. to its board of directors.  Dr. Dixon brings 30 years of pharmaceutical development and commercial experience to the Orexigen board.  This experience includes commercialization strategy, new product launches and portfolio evaluation in cardiometabolic and primary care markets with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS), Merck, and SmithKline & French (now a part of GlaxoSmithKline).  Most recently, she was the President of Global Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer at BMS Company.

"Having submitted the New Drug Application for Contrave, we are now highly focused on the regulatory review process, establishing our commercial plans, and seeking a partner for our obesity products," said Michael Narachi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orexigen. "Wendy brings extensive commercial experience in primary care that will be valuable as we prepare for the approval and launch of Contrave®."

"Orexigen has emerged as a leader in the development of obesity therapies in a time where there is a tremendous unmet need," added Dr. Dixon. "I look forward to being part of the Orexigen board and supporting the Company's vision of providing obese patients with important new treatment options."

Prior to joining BMS, Dr. Dixon held executive management positions at Merck, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Marketing.  Dr. Dixon has also held executive management positions with Osteotech and Centocor and various positions at SmithKline in marketing, regulatory affairs and project management. In addition to the Orexigen board, Dr. Dixon has been a director of DENTSPLY International since July 2005 and Furiex Pharmaceuticals since February 2010.  

About Orexigen Therapeutics

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity. The Company has submitted an NDA with the FDA for its lead investigational product, Contrave®.  The Company's second product, Empatic™, has completed Phase 2 clinical development.  Each product candidate is designed to act on a specific group of neurons in the central nervous system with the goal of achieving appetite suppression and sustained weight loss, through combination therapeutic approaches. Further information about the Company can be found at http://www.Orexigen.com.  

Forward-Looking Statements

Orexigen cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "indicates," "will," "intends," "potential," "suggests," "assuming," "designed" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company's current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Orexigen that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this release due to the risk and uncertainties inherent in the Orexigen business, including, without limitation: additional analyses of data from the Contrave Phase 3 trials and any other clinical trials of Contrave may produce negative or inconclusive results, or may be inconsistent with previously announced results or previously conducted clinical trials; the FDA may not agree with the Company's interpretation of efficacy and safety results; the FDA may require Orexigen to complete additional clinical, non-clinical or other requirements prior to the submission or the approval of NDA for Contrave; the third parties on whom Orexigen relies to assist with the development programs for Contrave, including clinical investigators, contract laboratories, clinical research organizations and manufacturing organizations, may not successfully carry out their contractual duties or obligations or meet expected deadlines, and the quality or accuracy of the data or materials generated by such third parties may be of insufficient quality to include in the Company's regulatory submissions; and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Orexigen undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All conclusions and determinations contained herein are subject to the Company's further analysis of the clinical data. The ultimate determination of the safety and efficacy of Contrave will be made by the FDA and other relevant regulatory authorities.

SOURCE Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.