OAKVILLE, ON, March 20, 2019 /CNW/ - Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX:CPH) ("Cipher" or "the Company") today announced that Stephen Lemieux, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Cipher has resigned to pursue other career opportunities. Mr. Lemieux will leave the Company on March 29, 2019. Mr. Lemieux has agreed to a consulting agreement with the Company to assist in the orderly transition of his responsibilities.

Robert Tessarolo, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "On behalf of the Board of Directors and the executive team at Cipher, I would like to thank Stephen for his significant contributions to Cipher. He has been a tremendous contributor to the transformation of Cipher and an invaluable partner for me, as we refocused and revitalized our enterprise. We wish Stephen the best in his future endeavours."

Mr. Lemieux said, "I have made the very difficult decision to leave Cipher to pursue another opportunity. I've had a very rewarding experience at Cipher and it has been a pleasure to be part of the Cipher team. I wish them continued success in the future."

The Company has commenced a search for a successor Chief Financial Officer and has named Ms. Nadine Jutlah as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Jutlah has been a senior finance executive at Cipher for over two years and has done an extraordinary job leading the Company's finance team. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Jutlah worked at Ernst & Young LLP for 13 years holding positions with increasing responsibilities, departing as a senior manager. Ms. Jutlah is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and has a Master of Science in Accounting from Frank Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts. 

About Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Cipher (TSX:CPH) is a specialty pharmaceutical company with a robust and diversified portfolio of commercial and early to late-stage products. Cipher acquires products that fulfill unmet medical needs, manages the required clinical development and regulatory approval process, and markets those products either directly in Canada or indirectly through partners in Canada, the U.S., and South America. Cipher is focused on a three-pronged growth strategy – including acquisitions, in-licensing, and selective investments in drug development – to assemble a broad portfolio of prescription products that serve unmet medical needs. For more information, visit www.cipherpharma.com.

SOURCE Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc.