Xanodyne Announces Planned President & CEO Succession

NEWPORT, Ky., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is pleased to announce that Natasha Giordano has been named to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and will be elected to the Company's Board of Directors, succeeding Michael J. Valentino.

The management transition was planned by the Board and follows a year of significant new product and commercial successes under Mr. Valentino's leadership.  In 2009, Xanodyne received FDA approval for Zipsor®, a new treatment option indicated for relief of mild to moderate acute pain in adults.  The Company also received FDA approval for Lysteda™ indicated for treatment of women suffering from cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), also known as menorrhagia.  Recently, Xanodyne announced that is has tightly focused the strategic direction for the company on the pain management market, and the related sale of Lysteda™ to Ferring Pharmaceuticals.  Xanodyne has a strategic partnership with Ferring for the co-promotion of Zipsor®.

Ms. Giordano most recently served as the company's Chief Operating Officer during this period of unprecedented success.  Ms. Giordano has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry and prior to Xanodyne served as President Americas at Cegedim Dendrite, a global sales and marketing solutions and information company specializing in the pharmaceutical industry.  Her depth of experience includes senior leadership positions in general management, marketing, compliance, and sales at major pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer and Parke-Davis.

Ms. Giordano said, "I look forward to working with the Board and management team in continuing to drive toward our vision of being a leader in the pain management category.  We have a proven track record of bringing innovative products to the market, and developing strategic partnerships where desired,  as well as the people, resources and strategy to focus Xanodyne on high growth opportunities within the pain franchise."

Mr. Valentino said, "I am very pleased to be leaving Xanodyne with high caliber talent on the management team, and throughout the organization.  Natasha's knowledge of the industry and her continued strong leadership will sustain the momentum as Xanodyne focuses its growth in pain management. The successful launch of Zipsor®, the portfolio of legacy brands, and strategic divestiture of non-core assets, including Lysteda™, position Xanodyne well for the future."

Rolf Classon, Chairman of the Board said, "We are very pleased with this planned leadership succession.  Mike expanded his Board responsibility to include the CEO role last year with the intent of seeing our drugs through approval and commercialization, and building a team to refine the strategic direction of the business.  The successful partnership between Mike and Natasha allows us a smooth senior management transition as we move forward and execute against our strategic priorities. On behalf of myself and the Board, I'd like to thank Mike for his contributions to the Board and for his stewardship of the Company during this crucial year. "

About Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Xanodyne, which commenced operations in 2001, is an integrated specialty pharmaceutical company with both development and commercial capabilities focused exclusively on pain management. Xanodyne markets a portfolio of products consisting of prescription pain management pharmaceuticals and a line of prenatal vitamins. Additionally, Xanodyne is advancing its pipeline of product candidates targeted at significant potential segments of the pain management market including chronic and severe pain. For more information visit www.Xanodyne.com.

SOURCE Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc.