WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NERV), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced the appointment of Michael Davidson, M.D., as chief medical officer effective December 19, 2016. His responsibilities will include the strategic development and clinical advancement of the Company’s products, which target schizophrenia (MIN-101), insomnia (MIN-202), major depressive disorder (MIN-117) and Parkinson’s disease (MIN-301).
Dr. Davidson brings to Minerva significant experience in the research and development of drugs to treat diseases of the central nervous system. He is currently professor of psychiatry at the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. Dr. Davidson trained in psychiatry at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, where he served as professor of psychiatry and director of research.
“Dr. Davidson’s deep expertise in CNS disorders, his insights into the development strategy and regulatory review of new agents to treat these conditions and his broad knowledge of clinical operations are expected to help us realize the potential of Minerva’s portfolio of products to treat unmet medical needs,” said Dr. Remy Luthringer, president and chief executive officer of Minerva. “During the past year, we have benefitted from his capabilities as a consultant, and we are looking forward to his increased involvement as we interact with regulatory agencies in the U.S. and Europe and as we embark upon pivotal clinical testing with our lead product, MIN-101 for schizophrenia.”
Dr. Davidson has been a consultant for a number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Teva, Roche, Novartis, Lilly, Forest, BioLineRx, Sanofi-Aventis, Takeda, Orion and Servier. He is a board member and reviewer for several professional organizations and neuroscience and psychiatry publications. Dr. Davidson has served as chief editor of European Neuropsychopharmacology, fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and board member of the International Psychogeriatric Association. He received the Neuroscience Award from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology in 1999 and from the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology in 2006. Dr. Davidson is the recipient of over 50 research grants and has published over 300 articles primarily in peer reviewed journals in the areas of schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. In schizophrenia he has generated and published data focused on the underlying biology of the disease and on investigational treatments.
About Minerva Neurosciences
Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of a portfolio of products to treat CNS diseases. Minerva’s proprietary compounds include: MIN-101, which has completed a Phase IIb clinical trial for schizophrenia; MIN-117, which has completed a Phase IIa clinical trial development for MDD; MIN-202 (JNJ-42847922), which has completed Phase IIa and Phase Ib clinical trials for insomnia and MDD, respectively; and MIN-301, in pre-clinical development for Parkinson’s disease. Minerva’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “NERV.” For more information, please visit www.minervaneurosciences.com.
