Santaris Pharma, the Danish biopharmaceutical company focussed on RNAi medicines, announces that Walter Wenninger has been elected a member of the board of directors
Wenninger's appointment completes the restructuring of the Santaris Pharma board following the company's euro40m financing in 2006.
Announcing the appointment, Keith McCullagh, president and CEO of Santaris Pharma, said: "I am delighted to welcome Dr Walter Wenninger to the board of Santaris Pharma.
"He brings substantial experience of international pharmaceutical and healthcare management to Santaris and, in addition, he has guided the successful development of a number of successful European biomedical businesses.
"I know that Santaris and its shareholders will gain significantly from his contribution to the company".
Commenting on Santaris Pharma and his appointment, Wenninger said: "Santaris Pharma is a quality company in the European life science industry and I believe it has the potential to bring to market a series of innovative medicines based on 21st century science.
"Santaris Pharma's rapidly developing portfolio of proprietary RNA Antagonists may bring unique benefits to patients across a range of diseases.
"I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to their continued growth and development".
Wenninger is chairman of the supervisory board of Paion, a public German life science company, and vice-chairman of the supervisory boards of Epidaurus and Axiogenesis, as well as being a member of the board of Arrow Therapeutics, London.
He has also been a member of the executive committee of the German Cardiac Research Foundation since 1992, a member of the executive committee of the Robert-Koch-Foundation since 1996, and a member of the board of trustees of the German Cancer Research Center since 1998.
Wenninger qualified in veterinary medicine and has a PhD and MBA from the University of Munich.
The Santaris Pharma board of directors now includes Martien van Osch, partner, Forbion Capital Partners (chairman); Claus Braestrup, CEO, Lundbeck ; Soren Carlsen, managing partner, Novo Ventures; Holger Reithinger, principal, Global Life Science Ventures; Linda Sjostrom, partner, BankInvest; Walter Wenninger; and Keith McCullagh, president and CEO, Santaris Pharma.
