MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 7, 2016 /CNW/ - Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:CPHR; TSX:CPH) ("Cipher" or "the Company") today announced that Rosemary A. (Rose) Crane and Dr. Renee P. Tannenbaum, two pharmaceutical industry leaders, are being proposed for election to Cipher's Board of Directors at the Company's Annual and Special Meeting on May 5, 2016.

Ms. Crane has more than 30 years of experience in large global pharmaceutical companies and development-stage companies. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA) one of the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world. Previously, Ms. Crane served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MELA Sciences, Inc. from 2013 to 2014. Ms. Crane was Head of Commercialization and a partner at Appletree Partners from 2011 to 2013. Previously, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Epocrates Inc.; and held several senior executive positions at Johnson & Johnson, including as Group Chairman, OTC & Nutritional Group, Group Chairman, Consumer, Specialty Pharmaceuticals and Nutritionals, and Executive Vice President of Global Marketing for the Pharmaceutical Group. Prior to that, she held various positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb from 1982 to 2002, including as President of U.S. Primary Care and as President of Global Marketing and Consumer Products. Ms. Crane has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Zealand Pharma A/S since 2015. Ms. Crane received an M.B.A. from Kent State University in 1986 and a B.A. in communications and English from the State University of New York in 1981.

Dr. Tannenbaum has more than 30 years of experience with leading companies in the biopharmaceutical industry. Most recently, she served as Head of Global Customer Excellence at AbbVie, Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) where she was responsible for building commercial capabilities for the organization. Prior to joining AbbVie, Dr. Tannenbaum served as President of Myrtle Potter & Company, LLC, a global life sciences consulting and advisory firm. From 2009 to 2011, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where she was responsible for revenue generation for Elan's marketed products and preparation for the commercialization of the company's pipeline. Prior to her role at Elan, Dr. Tannenbaum was at Novartis Pharma AG for three years, where she led the Global Commercial Operations organization. Prior to that, she spent nine years at Bristol Myers Squibb and 16 years at Merck and Company in a variety of leadership positions. Dr. Tannenbaum received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Sciences, where she retains an Adjunct Faculty position in the Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy, her MBA from Temple University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Connecticut. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Zogenix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGNX) 

"We're fortunate to attract two highly accomplished pharmaceutical industry leaders as potential independent directors," said Gerry McDole, Chair of Cipher's Board of Directors. "As Cipher continues on its path to building the most customer-centric dermatology company in North America, Renee and Rose would bring proven and relevant industry experience to complement and strengthen our existing Board skill-set."

About Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Cipher Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CPHR; TSX:CPH) is a rapidly growing specialty pharmaceutical dermatology company with a diversified portfolio of commercial-stage products with the goal of becoming the most customer-centric dermatology company in North America.

Cipher completed seven transactions in 2015, including the acquisition of Innocutis and its nine branded dermatology products, to build its U.S. commercial presence, expand its Canadian dermatology franchise and broaden its pipeline. Cipher is well-capitalized to drive long-term, sustained earnings growth by leveraging its proven clinical development capabilities and efficient commercial execution. For more information, visit www.cipherpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this news release may be forward-looking and therefore subject to various risks and uncertainties. The words "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "suspect", "outlook", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "forecast", "objective", "hope" and "continue" (or the negative thereof), and words and expressions of similar import, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.  Factors that could cause results to vary include those identified in the Company's Annual Information Form, Form 40-F and other filings with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities. These factors include, but are not limited to our ability to enter into in-licensing, development, manufacturing and marketing and distribution agreements with other pharmaceutical companies and keep such agreements in effect; our  dependency on three products;  integration difficulties and other risks if we acquire or in-license technologies or product candidates;  reliance on third parties for the marketing of our products; the product approval process is highly unpredictable;  the timing of completion of clinical trials; reliance on third parties to manufacture our products; we may be subject to product liability claims; unexpected product safety or efficacy concerns may arise; generate revenue from a limited number of distribution and supply agreements; the pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive; requirements for additional capital to fund future operations; dependence on key managerial personnel and external collaborators;  no assurance that we will receive regulatory approvals in the U.S., Canada or any other jurisdictions;  limitations on reimbursement in the healthcare industry; limited reimbursement for products by government authorities and third-party payor policies;  various laws pertaining to health care fraud and abuse; reliance on the success of strategic investments and partnerships; the publication of negative results of clinical trials; unpredictable development goals and projected time frames; rising insurance costs; ability to enforce covenants not to compete; risks associated with the industry in which it operates; foreign currency risk; the potential violation of intellectual property rights of third parties; our efforts to obtain, protect or enforce our patents and other intellectual property rights related to our products; changes in U.S., Canadian or foreign patent law; litigation in the pharmaceutical industry concerning the manufacture and supply of novel versions of existing drugs that are the subject of conflicting patent rights; inability to protect our trademarks from infringement; shareholders may be further diluted; volatility of our share price; a significant shareholder; we do not currently intend to pay dividends; and our operating results may fluctuate significantly; we may be unsuccessful in evaluating material risks involved in complete and future acquisitions; we may be unable to identify, acquire or integrate acquisition targets successfully; operations in the U.S.; and inability to meet covenants on our credit facilities.. All forward-looking statements presented herein should be considered in conjunction with such filings. Except as required by Canadian or U.S. securities laws, the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements; such statements speak only as of the date made.

SOURCE Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.