4/27/09
Dr. Robert Ruffolo joins Trevena, Inc. Board of Directors
Trevena, Inc., a specialist GPCR drug discovery company, today announced that Robert Ruffolo has joined its Board of Directors.
In January 2009, Trevena announced that Dr. Ruffolo had joined its Scientific Advisory Board. In addition to that role, he has now agreed to become a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Of his decision to become more involved with Trevena, Dr. Ruffolo commented, “Since I retired from Pharmaceutical R&D, this is the first biotech board position that I have decided to accept. The science underway at this company is tremendously exciting, and the management team is first rate. I look forward to helping build a strong independent drug discovery company.”
Dr. Robert R. Ruffolo, Jr., is a retired President of R&D at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. He also spent 17 years at SmithKline Beecham (now GSK) and 6 years at Lilly Research Laboratories. During his celebrated career in Pharmaceutical R&D, Dr. Ruffolo played a leading role in the discovery and development of a number of now marketed products, including carvedilol (Coreg/Kredex/Dilatrend), dobutamine (Dobutrex), ropinerole (Requip), and eprosartan (Teveten). He received his B.S. degree in Pharmacy, and his Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology, both from The Ohio State University. He has authored nearly 500 scientific publications, edited 17 books, served on the editorial boards of over 30 international scientific journals, and been a committee member for several industry organizations. Dr. Ruffolo has won numerous prestigious awards honoring his outstanding contributions to the pharmaceutical industry.
Trevena, Inc. successfully raised $24m in Series A financing in March 2008. Alta Partners and Healthcare Ventures led the round as part of an investor syndicate that included New Enterprise Associates and Polaris Venture Partners. “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Ruffolo onto our Board, where his deep insight and vast experience will help to drive our company forward,” said Maxine Gowen, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Trevena, Inc.
About Trevena, Inc.Trevena, Inc. is a Philadelphia-based drug discovery company focused on developing pharmaceutical products targeting G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Pharmaceutical products that target GPCRs represent over 40% of marketed drugs today. Trevena’s drug discovery platform, licensed from Duke University Medical Center, is based on extensive research from the laboratories of scientists Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D. and Howard A. Rockman, M.D. The company’s drug discovery portfolio is currently focused on programs for cardiovascular and CNS indications. Trevena, Inc. is privately held.
