Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Concert Pharmaceuticals names Roessel, Sabounjian to exec roles

By Michelle Lang

Concert Pharmaceuticals Inc. has made two new executive appointments to grow its development work. Mark Roessel has been named vice president of regulatory affairs and quality assurance, while LuAnn Sabounjian has been appointed vice president of clinical operations.

Roessel previously served in similar roles, most recently as vice president of regulatory affairs at Indevus Pharmaceuticals Inc., which has since been bought by Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.  Before that, he was VP regulatory affairs and quality assurance at AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Sabounjian also worked at Indevus Pharmaceuticals, for 20 years, serving most recently as vice president of clinical development. In her career, she led clinical trials that ultimately brought approval to four drugs.

Lexington-based Concert has a drug candidate, CTP-499, in a Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and other chronic diseases.  The company is also collaborating with Walter Reed Army Institute of Research to conduct preclinical testing of its early-stage drug compound, C-10068, for treating seizures stemming from traumatic brain injuries.

In March, Concert Pharmaceuticals CEO Roger Tung, a 2009 Mass High Tech All-Star, said that the company employed 45 workers and had raised more than $110 million in venture and institutional funding from Adage Capital Management, Alexandria Equities LLC, Brookside Capital Partners Fund, Flagship Ventures, GlaxoSmithKline, Greylock Partners, Mediphase Venture Partners, New Leaf Venture Partners, Skyline Ventures, SR One Ltd., Three Arch Partners, TVM Capital and Westfield Capital Management.