Vistagen has appointed Dr. Douglas J. Williamson to its board of directors as the late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advances its neuroscience pipeline.
Williamson brings nearly three decades of experience in neuroscience drug development, clinical research and regulatory strategy. His career has included leading therapies from early-stage clinical development through regulatory approval and commercialization.
He is currently a central nervous system drug development consultant and the founder of Destiny Biopharm Consulting.
Williamson most recently served as chief medical officer of QurAlis Corporation. Before that, he was Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development at Acadia Pharmaceuticals, where he directed the company’s neuroscience research and development strategy and served on its executive management committee.
His prior roles include chief medical officer of Avadel Pharmaceuticals and several senior leadership positions at H. Lundbeck, including Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Research and Development and Deputy Global Chief Medical Officer.
Williamson also served as Vice President and Global Head of Therapeutic Area Leadership at Parexel International.
Earlier in his career, he worked at Eli Lilly, where he contributed to the development and regulatory approval of several neuropsychiatric treatments. These included Symbyax for treatment-resistant depression and bipolar depression and Zyprexa for bipolar maintenance. He also supported the commercial development of Cymbalta.
Williamson previously served on the board of Bright Minds Biosciences and was a member of its Compensation, Audit, Nomination and Corporate Governance committees.
Vistagen is developing intranasal product candidates known as pherines. The company’s approach is designed to activate nose-to-brain neurocircuitry without requiring systemic absorption into the bloodstream or direct uptake into the brain.
Its most advanced candidate, fasedienol, is in U.S. Phase 3 development for social anxiety disorder. Vistagen is also studying itruvone in Phase 2 for major depressive disorder and refisolone in Phase 2 for menopause-related vasomotor symptoms.
KEY QUOTES:
“Over his career, he has guided therapies from early development through regulatory approval and into the hands of patients. That expertise will be invaluable as we advance our neuroscience pipeline and evaluate future corporate growth opportunities.”
Shawn Singh, President and CEO of Vistagen
“It’s a privilege to join Vistagen’s Board. The Company’s mission of bringing forward new treatment options for patients across a range of conditions is one I am glad to support, and I am excited to work with the experienced team as they continue to advance the Company’s innovative research and development efforts.”
Dr. Douglas J. Williamson, Director of Vistagen
