The Merz Pharma Group Appoints William D. Humphries As New North American Chief Executive Officer

GREENSBORO, N.C., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Merz Pharma Group today announced that William (Bill) D. Humphries has been appointed CEO of the US holding company, Merz Inc., effective March 15, 2012.  In his new role, Humphries will assume overall responsibility for the Medical Dermatology global business unit and will oversee strategic direction and collaboration among three North American companies: Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Merz Aesthetics, Inc. and Merz Pharma Canada, Ltd. 

"Few people can match Bill's extensive knowledge across the pharmaceutical and aesthetic medicine categories.  His knowledge, combined with his unparalleled experience as an innovative driver of organic and acquired expansion, brings a new era of leadership to the Merz companies," said Dr. Martin Zugel, CEO Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH. "We are confident that Bill will lead our companies into a period of accelerated growth in the North American market."

Humphries' appointment completes the latest senior executive talent additions to Merz, including the hiring of Hans Regenauer, Head of Global Business Unit OTC/OTX & Emerging Markets; and Stefan Brinkmann, Head of Global Business Unit Ethical Pharma and Regional Head Western Europe.

Prior to joining Merz, Humphries served as the President of Stiefel, a leader in global dermatology and skin health. During his tenure at Stiefel (now a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline), Humphries spearheaded two major acquisitions, and led the global integration of Stiefel into GlaxoSmithKline.  Under his leadership, Stiefel experienced compounded revenue growth of 34% annually over five years, reaching a total of $847 million in 2009. Previously Humphries held multiple senior executive roles within Allergan, Inc., concluding as Vice President of the U.S. Skincare business.

Humphries holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., and an MBA from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. He also holds seats on the boards of The American Skin Association and Clearside Biomedical. He will operate primarily from the Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC offices in Greensboro, N.C.

About The Merz Pharma Group

Globally, the companies of the Merz Pharma Group are focused on medications for treating neurological and psychiatric illnesses and thereby assume a leading role in the field of Alzheimer research.  With Memantine, Merz has developed the world`s first glutamateric drug for the treatment of moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer dementia. Memantine is the second most frequently prescribed antidementive medication in the world. Another important area of competency of Merz is Clinical Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. Merz is also active in the Health sector outside of the pharmacy. In the field of consumer products, with its established brands of tetesept® and Merz Spezial®, Merz Consumer Care is a leading provider of products for self-medication, nutritional supplements and skin care in the German-speaking area. The Merz Pharma Group is a privately owned company, founded 1908 in Frankfurt, Germany.

About Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merz Inc. and was established in 1995 to develop and commercialize products for the Merz Group. Areas of therapeutic focus include Neurology, Physiatry, Dermatology, and Podiatry.

About Merz Aesthetics

Merz Aesthetics, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merz Inc. and a member of the Aesthetics Global Business Unit of Merz Pharma which has affiliates in 17 countries and cooperates with more than 30 distributors worldwide.

About Merz Pharma Canada Ltd.

Merz Pharma Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Merz Group of Companies, was established in 2009 to expand Merz franchises in the Canadian Marketplace.

SOURCE Merz Pharma Group