Idera Pharma Appoints Vincent Milano As CEO

(RTTNews) - Idera Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IDRA) announced that it has appointed Vincent J. Milano as Chief Executive Officer, effective today. Milano was also appointed to the Company's Board of Directors.

Milano previously served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ViroPharma Incorporated, where he led the building of an international organization with multiple products for the treatment of patients with rare diseases.

Milano succeeds Sudhir Agrawal, D.Phil., who will continue to lead scientific research as President of Research and serve on Idera's Board of Directors.

Milano, 51, most recently served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ViroPharma, which was acquired by Shire Pharmaceuticals in January 2014.

Milano joined ViroPharma in 1996 and served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 1997 to 2006 prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer. He was instrumental in building the company, including leading efforts in raising nearly $900 million in capital, as well as acquisitions of Lev Pharmaceuticals and the drug Vancocin from Eli Lilly.

Milano currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Spark Therapeutics, Vanda Pharmaceuticals (VNDA) and VenatoRx.