CORAL GABLES, Fla., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. today announced that it has appointed Dr. Richard Rawson to its Scientific Advisory Board, bringing the Board to seven members.
Dr. Rawson has been a member of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Department of Psychiatry for over 20 years and is currently a Professor-in-Residence. He also serves as the Associate Director of the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs in the UCLA School of Medicine, where he oversees a portfolio of addiction research, ranging from brain imaging studies, to numerous clinical trials on pharmacological and psychosocial addiction treatments, to the study of how new treatments are applied in the treatment system. During the past decade, Dr. Rawson has worked with the US State Department on large substance abuse research and treatment projects, exporting US technology and addiction science to Mexico, Thailand, Israel, Egypt, South Africa and the Palestinian Authority. He also directs the capacity building and training component of the United Nations International Network of Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Resource Centers, and is currently principal investigator of the Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Center, and the NIDA Methamphetamine Clinical Trials Group. Dr. Rawson has published two books, 20 book chapters and over 175 professional papers. He also conducts more than 50 workshops annually, as well as paper presentations and training sessions. Dr. Rawson earned his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Vermont.
"We are extremely pleased that Dr. Richard Rawson has agreed to serve on our Scientific Advisory Board," said Patrick J. McEnany, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners. "As Principal Investigator of the National Institute on Drug Abuse - Methamphetamine Clinical Trials Group, during a time when methamphetamine abuse across the nation is rising dramatically, Dr. Rawson's vast experience brings a unique expertise to the Company that will directly aid in the clinical development of our initial product candidate, CPP-109, for the treatment of cocaine and methamphetamine addiction."
Dr. Rawson is joined on the Scientific Advisory board by existing members, including, Stephen L. Dewey, Ph.D. - Chairman; Jonathan Brodie, Ph.D., M.D.; Robert D. Fechtner, M.D.; Donald R. Jasinski, M.D.; Thomas Kosten, M.D.; and Eugene Laska, Ph.D.
Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription drugs for the treatment of addiction. The Company's initial product candidate is CPP-109, which is based on the compound gamma-vinyl-GABA, commonly referred to as vigabatrin. CPP-109 has been granted "Fast Track" status by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), which means that the FDA has recognized cocaine and methamphetamine addiction as an unmet medical need for which no pharmacological products are currently approved for marketing.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Many factors could adversely impact the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including those risk factors and other factors described in the Company's Prospectus, dated November 7, 2006, and in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. Both of these documents have been filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Copies of the Company's filings with the SEC are available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date.
