STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Purdue Pharma L.P. today announced that Marcelo Bigal, MD, PhD has been appointed Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Bigal will play a critical role representing the important needs of patients and healthcare professionals. He will be based in Stamford, Conn. and report directly to President & CEO Craig Landau, MD.

In his new role, Dr. Bigal will be responsible for general medical governance and patient safety oversight relating to all Purdue products in development and in the market. He will also become part of the senior leadership team that addresses the scientific and medical aspects of the company’s product portfolio with government agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bigal to Purdue during such an important time in our evolution,” said Craig Landau, MD, President and CEO, Purdue Pharma. “His vast experience in specialty research and development, including discovery, early and late stage clinical development, safety and pharmacovigilance, along with his relevant category experience in pain, sleep and neuropsychiatric disorders will support our plans to bring important new medicines to patients and physicians who need them.”

Dr. Bigal brings more than 12 years of pharmaceutical experience spanning research and development, clinical operations and innovations, and scientific affairs. He comes to Purdue from Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he most recently served as Chief Scientific Officer for the specialty organization. Prior to that he served as CMO and Head of the Clinical Development organization, in which he oversaw Innovative Clinical Development (Phases 1 to 3) across all specialty areas. Before joining Teva, Dr. Bigal was CMO at Labrys Biologics, Inc., leading the team responsible for the development of fremanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against CGRP, a potential anti-migraine and pain target.

Prior to his work in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Bigal was a faculty member at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Neurology, as well as the Director of Research at New England Center for Headache, Stamford, Connecticut and Director of Research at Montefiore Headache Center, Bronx, New York. He has received prestigious awards, including the American Academy of Neurology Harold-Wolff John Graham Award for outstanding achievements in pain research. He has published more than 310 peer-reviewed articles in indexed journals, edited six books and authored or co-authored 35 book chapters.

Dr. Bigal holds a Medical Doctorate degree from the College of Medicine at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, where he also obtained a Masters in Science and a PhD in Neurosciences. He completed his post-doctoral research at the New England Center for Headache in Stamford, Conn.

ABOUT PURDUE PHARMA L.P.

Purdue Pharma L.P. is a privately-held pharmaceutical company headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Purdue Pharma is part of a network of independent associated companies dedicated to providing patients and providers with innovative medicines. The company’s leadership and employees are committed to serving healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers by providing quality products and educational resources that make a positive impact on healthcare — and on lives. For more information, please visit www.purduepharma.com.