Geoffrey McDonough appointed President and CEO of Sobi
Geoffrey McDonough has been appointed President and CEO of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) as of August 15, 2011. He will succeed Kennet Rooth, who has been acting CEO since January 1, 2011.
Geoffrey McDonough is currently President of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) of Genzyme Corporation, USA, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, now part of the French Sanofi Group. In this role Dr. McDonough is responsible for operations in 55 countries and a portfolio of 15 leading biotechnology and specialty products. Dr. McDonough has held several leading positions within Genzyme in the US since 2002, including Senior VP and General Manager, Personalized Genetic Health, and Senior VP, Global Business Unit Leader, LSD (Lysosomal Storage Diseases) Therapeutics. Dr. McDonough began his career at Genzyme in Corporate Development. Prior to joining Genzyme Dr. McDonough worked as a physician in the US, and also has had experience as a medical technology entrepreneur and as an adviser for RA Capital Management in the US. Geoffrey McDonough was born in 1970 and is a graduate of Harvard Medical School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science from University of North Carolina, where he was awarded the highest honor for his Bachelor's thesis. "The Board is very pleased to appoint Geoffrey McDonough as new President and CEO. Geoff is well-recognized for his solid and broad commercial and clinical expertise and for his background in the orphan drug and niche specialty market. Geoff will bring his international experience from one of the world's leading biotechnology and orphan drug-focused companies to lead Sobi toward our vision of becoming the leading niche specialty pharmaceutical company in Europe," says Bo Jesper Hansen, Chairman of Sobi. "I am honored to lead Sobi" says Geoffrey McDonough, "Together we will build on the strong foundation of a diversified commercial portfolio, excellence in manufacturing, and a strong pipeline, all focused on the mission to bring important therapies for rare diseases to patients and families around the world." For more information, please contact: Åsa Stenqvist, VP Communications and Investor Relations Phone:+46 8 697 21 88 About Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) Sobi is a leading European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing and developing specialty pharmaceuticals for patients with rare diseases and significant medical needs. The portfolio comprises about 60 marketed products, as well as projects in late clinical phase. Key therapeutic areas are hematological diseases, autoimmune diseases, hereditary metabolic disorders and therapeutic oncology. In 2010 Sobi had revenues of SEK 1.9 billion and approximately 500 employees. The share (STO: SOBI) is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. For more information please visitwww.sobi.com The above information has been made public in accordance with the Swedish Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was released for public distribution on June 22, 2011 at 8.30 CET.