Menlo Therapeutics Announces New Board Member Elisabeth Sandoval
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Menlo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: MNLO), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of serlopitant for the treatment of pruritus (itch), today announced that Elisabeth Sandoval has been appointed as a member of Menlo’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Ms. Sandoval currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Alder Biopharmaceuticals, previously served as Chief Commercial Officer of KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, and prior to that role, as Vice President of Global Marketing for Allergan.
“We are delighted that Elisabeth is joining the Menlo Board. She brings extensive experience in drug commercialization and new product launches, particularly in dermatology. Menlo Therapeutics is starting the transition to building a commercial organization as we prepare for our Phase 3 clinical trial results expected in the first half of 2020 and a potential commercial launch of serlopitant in 2021, if the ongoing trials are successful and regulatory approval is obtained. Elisabeth’s extensive commercial experience will help guide our planned transition to a commercial organization,” stated Steve Basta, Chief Executive Officer of Menlo Therapeutics.
In addition to her responsibilities as Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Alder Biopharmaceuticals, a clinical stage company focused on developing novel therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of migraine, Ms. Sandoval is also responsible for developing and leading the company’s medical affairs, investor relations, corporate communications and business development functions. Before joining Alder, she was Chief Commercial Officer for KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, where she led the commercial strategy and execution including the hiring and development of all commercial functions and launch of a first-in-class product prior to KYTHERA’s acquisition by Allergan. Before KYTHERA, Ms. Sandoval was Vice President of Marketing for Bausch and Lomb Surgical, leading all marketing strategy and execution globally. Prior to this position, Ms. Sandoval was Vice President of Global Marketing at Allergan with responsibility for developing the global commercial strategy for the Medical Aesthetics division and execution of key product launches. She spent 23 years at Allergan in sales and marketing leadership roles in the specialties of dermatology, neurology, and aesthetics. Ms. Sandoval serves on the board of directors for Alastin Skincare, a privately held company. Ms. Sandoval began her career in research and development at Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon division. She holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Irvine.
Ms. Sandoval is filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Albert Cha, M.D., Ph.D., who has served on the Menlo Therapeutics Board of Directors since 2015. Menlo Therapeutics expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Cha for his extraordinary service and contributions to Menlo’s evolution. Dr. Cha has resigned from the Menlo Board effective March 19th, prior to Ms. Sandoval’s appointment to the Board to fill the vacancy created by Dr. Cha’s resignation.
About Menlo Therapeutics
Menlo Therapeutics Inc. is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of serlopitant, a once-daily oral NK1 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of pruritus. The company’s clinical development program for serlopitant includes two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of pruritus associated with prurigo nodularis, a planned Phase 3 program for the treatment of pruritus associated with psoriasis, and a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of chronic pruritus of unknown origin.
Forward Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Menlo Therapeutics, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Menlo Therapeutics’ expectations regarding the safety and efficacy of serlopitant, transitioning to building a commercial organization, the timing and success of ongoing clinical trials, and the timing of and receipt of regulatory approval. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risk and uncertainties that could cause Menlo Therapeutics’ development program for serlopitant, future financial results, achievements or performance to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks that the timing of results, enrollment or commencement of clinical trials may be delayed, the risk that subsequent trials do not replicate the results from completed clinical trials or do not demonstrate efficacy of serlopitant in the studied indications, the risk of adverse safety events, risks that the costs of clinical trials will exceed expectations, risks resulting from the unpredictability of the regulatory process and regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries, risks relating to ongoing securities class action litigation, and risks that Menlo Therapeutics will need to raise additional capital and will be unable to do so on favorable terms or at all. These factors, together with those that are described in greater detail in Menlo Therapeutics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2019, as well as any reports that it may file with the SEC in the future, may cause Menlo Therapeutics’ actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements. Menlo Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Media Contact: media@menlotx.com
Investor Contact: dsheel@menlotx.com
