Adrian Adams, the recently named chief executive officer of Chapel Hill-based Pozen, continues to put is management stamp on the company with new three appointments announced early Monday.

Adams took over the company earlier this month and already has made plans for a merger as well as raising $350 million in rebooting the company.

The day after taking over as CEO and COO, Adams and chief business offer Andrew Koven announced Pozen would set up a subsidary in Ireland. Pozen founder and CEO John Plachetka had retired.

Adams and Koven, who had sold off pharma firms before such as Inspire in Raleigh, on Monday announced the $350 million capital commitment from Deerfield and a syndicate of investors. The funds include $75 million set aside shares of the new venture. Other money is set aside for acquisitions and development.

Pozen is buying Canada-based Tribute Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth $146 million. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter at which time Aralez will be formed and “domiciled” in Ireland, Pozen said.

Pozen will operate as a subsidiary of Aralez.

The full announcement about the three new executives follows:

Pozen Announces Key Leadership Additions

Three New Executives, Each Bring Decades of Experience Working at High Growth Pharmaceutical Companies

New Executives Will Also Serve on Leadership Team of Aralez Pharmaceuticals, Following Completion of Merger with Tribute

CHAPEL HILL – Pozen, a pharmaceutical company committed to developing medicine that transforms lives, today announced appointments to its Executive Leadership Team led by newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Adams.

The new appointments, are as follows:

  • Mark A. Glickman has been named Chief Commercial Officer of POZEN, a newly created position effective immediately, with the intention of becoming Chief Commercial Officer of Aralez Pharmaceuticals upon the completion of the pending merger between POZEN and Tribute;
  • Eric L. Trachtenberg has been named Deputy General Counsel of POZEN, effective immediately, with the intention of becoming General Counsel of Aralez Pharmaceuticals upon the completion of the pending merger between POZEN and Tribute; and
  • Jennifer L. Armstrong has been named Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration of POZEN, effective immediately, with the intention of becoming EVP Human Resources and Administration of Aralez Pharmaceuticals upon completion of the pending merger between POZEN and Tribute.

“This is an exciting time for POZEN as we work to combine with Tribute and create Aralez Pharmaceuticals, a premier specialty pharmaceutical company with enhanced offerings and a diversified product portfolio that we believe will provide significant benefits for all of our stakeholders. With the enhancements to the leadership team announced today, I’m confident we will execute at an even faster pace as we head into this next phase of growth and success,” said Adrian Adams, Chief Executive Officer of POZEN. “I look forward to working in close partnership with Mark, Eric and Jennifer as we work together with all our valued employees to build an even stronger company.”

About Mark A. Glickman

Mr. Glickman has over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales and operations, with expertise in a variety of fields including sales turnarounds, global product introductions and organizational expansions. Mr. Glickman most recently served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Auxilium Pharmaceuticals. Prior to that, he served as Vice President in the medical device division at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. At Otsuka, he helped to reinvigorate the company’s sales and increase its business by 50% over two years, while also spearheading quality improvement initiatives and playing a critical role in new regulatory filings. Prior to Otsuka, Mr. Glickman served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corp., during which time he completed a successful turnaround of the company’s commercial strategy, driving a significant increase in sales. Before joining Oscient, Mr. Glickman served as Vice President of Sales at Bayer Healthcare’s Diabetes Care Division. From 2001 to 2007 he played a major role in helping to build the commercial organization at Kos Pharmaceuticals and held various positions including Director of Marketing, Regional Sales Director and Vice President of Sales. Mr. Glickman started his pharmaceutical career at Bristol-Myers Squibb where he was responsible for the marketing of cardiovascular products, including the blockbuster Plavix. Mr. Glickman holds a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University.

About Eric L. Trachtenberg

Mr. Trachtenberg has over 16 years of experience practicing law, including over ten years in the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Trachtenberg most recently served as Deputy General Counsel at Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., from 2012 through its acquisition by Endo Pharmaceuticals in February 2015. Prior to Auxilium, he was Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Enobia Pharma, Inc. and managed all legal aspects of Enobia’s sale to Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Prior to that, Mr. Trachtenberg served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Sepracor Inc. and remained in that position with Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. following the acquisition of Sepracor by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma. Mr. Trachtenberg also held a Senior Counsel position at Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. before its acquisition by Abbott. Mr. Trachtenberg began his career as an Associate at Blank Rome LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Tulane University and a Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration degree from Temple University.

About Jennifer L. Armstrong

Ms. Armstrong has over 15 years of experience in the Human Resources field, primarily in the biotech industry. Ms. Armstrong most recently served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Prior to that, she served at Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Communications at Genaera Corporation. During her decade long tenure at Genaera, Ms. Armstrong was responsible for all facets of Human Resources, including working directly with the Compensation Committee on executive and equity compensation strategies. She also was responsible for investor and public relations while overseeing the IT and facilities functions. Ms. Armstrong holds a Masters degree in Arts Administration and a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communications, both from Drexel University.