Zogenix, Inc. announced the appointments of Gail M. Farfel, Ph.D., as Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, and Thierry Darcis, M.D., M.B.A., as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Europe. In the Chief Development Officer role, Dr. Farfel will lead all product development activities, including clinical development and regulatory strategy. In his role, Dr. Darcis will establish company's pre-commercial presence in Europe and lead commercial operations in Europe for the anticipated launch of ZX008.

Both Dr. Farfel and Dr. Darcis will report directly to Dr. Farr, Chief Executive Officer of the company. Dr. Farfel has over 20 years of experience in leading drug development projects for multiple CNS indications, including epilepsy. Most recently, she was Chief Clinical and Regulatory Officer of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, establishing and overseeing clinical, medical and regulatory strategies for adult and pediatric seizure disorders, including a pediatric epileptic orphan disease.

Previously, Dr. Farfel was Vice President, Therapeutic Area and Head for Neuroscience Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, where she oversaw a portfolio of products including Gilenya® for multiple sclerosis, Exelon® and the Exelon® Patch for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and the antidepressant, agomelatine. Dr. Darcis has over 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience in global marketing, product development and operations management. He has led European operations as General Manager for two successful rare disease-focused biopharmaceutical organizations, most recently NPS Pharmaceuticals and prior to that, Viropharma Europe.

Previously, he was Vice President, Global Marketing Head and a member of the executive team at Novartis Vaccines. Prior to Novartis Vaccines, Dr. Darcis spent over five years with GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals in Belgium.