MONTREAL, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - The Board of Directors of DRAXIS Health Inc. has appointed Mr. Dan Brazier as the new President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2008. In addition, the Board has also appointed Mr. Jean-Pierre Robert to the position of Chief Operating Officer of DRAXIS Health Inc.
Brian King, Chair of the Board of Directors, said, "The Board of Directors has full confidence that the streamlined executive management team under Dan Brazier's leadership has the capabilities to deliver on its strategic plan for the Company that positions DRAXIS for significant growth beginning in 2008 and extending into the future. Recently announced partnerships, new business activities and the continuing development of several significant new products that are expected to be introduced over the next several years represent significant opportunities for value creation."
Mr. Jean-Pierre Robert will also continue to retain his position as President of DRAXIS Specialty Pharmaceuticals Inc. (DSP), the Company's wholly-owned operating subsidiary. These new appointments are the result of a long term process established by the Company to identify a successor to Dr. Martin Barkin who recently informed the Board of his decision to retire as President and CEO and resign from the Board of Directors, both effective December 31, 2007.
About Dan Brazier
Dan Brazier has been a member of the executive management team since he joined DRAXIS in 1998. He was named Chief Operating Officer in October 2005 and since July 2007 he served in the Office of the President together with Dr. Barkin. Prior to his appointment as COO Mr. Brazier was Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategic Planning since June 2003. Previously, he served as the President of the Canadian pharmaceutical sales and marketing division of DRAXIS Health, where he successfully transformed and grew the division from a relatively small unit that marketed several unrelated product lines into a profitable specialty pharmaceuticals business with a well-defined focus in prescription products for the neurology segment.
Mr. Brazier has nearly 30 years of business experience with several consumer marketing, healthcare and pharmaceutical companies in a variety of increasingly responsible roles that included responsibilities in Canada, the United States and internationally. He has held a variety of senior positions including sales and marketing management, general management, strategic planning, corporate development and executive management roles. Prior to joining DRAXIS Health he established a specialty products division within a major international pharmaceutical company and led that division through a period of rapid growth. Mr. Brazier holds an honours degree in Commerce, with a double major in both Marketing and Finance.
About Jean-Pierre Robert
Jean-Pierre Robert joined DRAXIS in April 2005 as President of the radiopharmaceuticals business unit in Montreal and as a member of the executive management team. In July 2007 he assumed the role of President of DRAXIS Specialty Pharmaceuticals Inc. In that position he has responsibility for both DRAXIMAGE, the division of DSP that produces and markets its own radiopharmaceutical products and for DRAXIS Pharma, the contract manufacturing division of DSP, which produces sterile and non-sterile products for clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Before joining DRAXIS, Mr. Robert spent several years with Tyco Healthcare (Canada), now Covidien Ltd., most recently as Vice President and General Manager, an executive role where he oversaw domestic and export operations including marketing, sales, finance, and contract manufacturing operations. Immediately prior to joining DRAXIS Mr. Robert was President and CEO of an emerging Canadian biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Robert has 28 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry and holds a B.Sc. degree.
About DRAXIS Health Inc.:
DRAXIS Health, through its wholly owned operating subsidiary, DRAXIS Specialty Pharmaceuticals Inc., provides products in three categories: sterile products, non-sterile products and radiopharmaceuticals. Sterile products include liquid and freeze-dried (lyophilized) injectables plus sterile ointments and creams. Non-sterile products are produced as solid oral and semi-solid dosage forms. Radiopharmaceuticals are used for both therapeutic and diagnostic molecular imaging applications. Pharmaceutical contract manufacturing services are provided through the DRAXIS Pharma division and radiopharmaceuticals are developed, produced, and sold through the DRAXIMAGE division. DRAXIS employs approximately 500 staff in its Montreal facility.
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CONTACT: DRAXIS Health Inc.: Jerry Ormiston, Executive Director, Investor
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