Covis Pharma Holdings S.a.r.l. Appoints Dean J. Mitchell As Executive Chairman of the Board

ZUG, Switzerland, Aug. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Covis Pharma Holdings S.a.r.l. ("Covis Holdings") announced today the appointment of pharmaceutical industry veteran Dean J. Mitchell as Executive Chairman of the Board.  Mr. Mitchell will be responsible for leadership of Covis Holdings and for the overall direction of the company. He replaces former Executive Chairman James T. Lenehan, who will continue to serve as a Director of the company. 

"Dean Mitchell's extensive experience in the pharmaceuticals industry will be of great value to Covis Holdings as it builds on its current platform," said Mr. Lenehan. "Dean has built successful pharmaceutical businesses in both the public and private sector and is an expert at strategic planning and product development. These skills are particularly relevant at Covis Holdings as the company plans for its next phase of growth."

Prior to joining Covis Holdings, Mr. Mitchell served in senior executive positions at large, mid-sized and small pharmaceutical companies. He held senior positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb from 2001 to 2004, where he was a member of the company's Corporate Executive Committee and was responsible for the company's corporate strategy. He served as president of Bristol-Myers Squibb's North America Primary Care and International Pharmaceuticals businesses from 2002 to 2004. He previously spent 14 years at GlaxoSmithKline in senior management, product strategy and business development positions, where he led the merger of the company's global clinical development and marketing groups.

Most recently, Mr. Mitchell served as President and CEO of Lux Biosciences, a biotechnology company focused on the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. He previously served as CEO of animal pharmaceutical company Alpharma Inc, which was acquired by King Pharmaceuticals. Prior to joining Alpharma, Mr. Mitchell was CEO of Guilford Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company that was subsequently acquired by MGI Pharma. 

About Covis Pharma Holdings S.a.r.l.

Covis Holdings was founded in 2011 with products acquired from GSK to which a portfolio of products from Sanofi was added earlier this year. The company has rapidly built a significant specialty pharmaceutical presence, providing a strong foundation which the company will use to drive further growth. Current products include Plaquenil, Nilandron, Rilutek, Uroxatral, Lanoxin, Fortaz, Zantac, Zinacef and Parnate. Covis Holdings is wholly-owned by an investment group led by affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., a leading private investment company, and which includes Bourne Partners and Princeton BioPharma Capital Partners, LLC. 

Media Contact:

info@covispharma.com 
John Dillard: +1 (212) 445-8051

SOURCE Covis Pharma Holdings S.a.r.l.