Prana Biotechnology : World leader in movement disorders Professor Ira Shoulson joins Prana board

Professor Shoulson is one of the world's foremost experts in neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders, and the founder of international academic consortia the Huntington Study Group and Parkinson Study Group, which have been instrumental in the development of innovative drugs to treat these disabling neurological conditions. This is his first company Board position.

Professor Shoulson is Professor of Neurology, Pharmacology and Human Science at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA, and Director of the University's Program for Regulatory Science and Medicine (PRSM). He is also principal investigator of the Georgetown University Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI), one of four research and education centers currently funded by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Professor Shoulson has served as a consultant to, and member of, several FDA advisory committees over the past three decades, and has been involved in eight successful new drug applications to the FDA, notably long-acting methylphenidate (Concerta©) for attention deficit disorder, rasagiline (Azilect©) for Parkinson disease, and tetrabenazine (Xenazine©), the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of chorea in Huntington disease (HD).

Prana Biotechnology CEO and Executive Chairman Geoffrey Kempler said: "Professor Shoulson's clinical and regulatory experience will be pivotal as Prana prepares to meet with regulators later this year to chart the next steps in PBT2's development as a treatment for Huntington disease."

Professor Shoulson said joining the Prana board was an exceptional opportunity to help develop the next generation of treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.

"I have spent my entire professional life developing treatments aimed at making a difference for patients with Huntington disease, Parkinson disease and similar neurodegenerative disorders," he said.

"Based on the Reach2HD study and ongoing discovery and translational research, I believe PBT2 is among the most promising of experimental treatments intended to ameliorate the disabling cognitive impairment of HD, which is a major source of disability for our patients."

"Besides PBT2, Prana has an expanding library of compounds that are applicable not just to neurological disorders but other disorders including cancer."

Professor Shoulson's position as a non-Executive Director of Prana Biotechnology is effective immediately. Prior to taking up his position with Prana, Professor Shoulson concluded his elected term as Chair and President of the Huntington Study Group.