




Healthcare Industry News: MedImmune
News Release - October 13, 2009
Seattle Genetics Names Head of Commercial and Announces Management Promotion
BOTHELL, Wash.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN ) today announced the appointment of Bruce J. Seeley as Executive Vice President, Commercial. Mr. Seeley brings more than 18 years of experience in oncology drug marketing and sales to the company, most recently from Genentech BioOncology. In addition, the company announced the promotion of Kirk D. Schumacher to Vice President, Legal Affairs and Compliance, and General Counsel.“Bruce will lead our efforts to build Seattle Genetics’ marketing and sales functions as we position the company for commercial operations, including the planned 2011 product launch of brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35),” said Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics. “His depth of experience in the commercialization of oncology drugs, including two of the most important therapies for the treatment of cancer, Herceptin(R) and Taxotere(R), will be a tremendous asset to the company. Kirk has been instrumental at Seattle Genetics, including his contributions to several strategic collaborations and equity financings, and his oversight of our legal affairs. Bruce and Kirk will play key leadership roles as Seattle Genetics continues to execute on its corporate goals.”
Bruce Seeley previously worked at Genentech (a wholly owned member of the Roche Group), most recently as Senior Director for Herceptin (trastuzumab) and T-DM1 marketing. His responsibilities included development and implementation of marketing and launch strategies, including product differentiation, pricing, distribution, medical education and promotion. Before that, Mr. Seeley spent four years at Aventis Pharma in increasing roles of responsibility, including Head of New Product Commercialization and Licensing, Global Marketing, Oncology. While at Aventis, he managed the global marketing activities for Taxotere (docetaxel). Mr. Seeley also held various marketing and sales positions at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer and Bristol-Myers Squibb. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Kirk Schumacher joined Seattle Genetics in October 2003, serving most recently as General Counsel. Since joining the company, he has participated in the negotiation and completion of multiple corporate alliances and equity financings, first as outside legal advisor and then as internal corporate counsel. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Schumacher was with the law firms of Venture Law Group and Riddell Williams. He received his J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.
About Seattle Genetics
Seattle Genetics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. The company’s lead product candidate, brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35), is in a pivotal trial under a special protocol assessment with the FDA. Brentuximab vedotin is empowered by Seattle Genetics’ proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology comprising highly potent synthetic drugs and stable linkers for attaching the drugs to monoclonal antibodies. In addition, Seattle Genetics has three other product candidates in ongoing clinical trials: lintuzumab (SGN-33), dacetuzumab (SGN-40) and SGN-70. Dacetuzumab is being developed under a worldwide collaboration with Genentech (a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group). Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Genentech, Bayer, CuraGen, Progenics, Daiichi Sankyo, MedImmune, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca, and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, as well as an ADC co-development agreement with Agensys, a subsidiary of Astellas Pharma. More information can be found at www.seattlegenetics.com.
Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking, such as those, among others, relating to the company’s plan to commercially launch brentuximab vedotin. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks related to delay of commercialization of brentuximab vedotin due to regulatory, clinical or other factors. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Seattle Genetics is contained in the company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: Seattle Genetics
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