EKR Therapeutics Appoints Co-Founder
Richard DeSimone as COO
 

Cedar Knolls, N.J., March 27, 2008 – EKR Therapeutics, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, commercializing and maximizing the potential of proprietary acute-care products, today announced that its co-founder, Richard DeSimone, has been appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer. This is a newly created position, reflecting the dramatic growth in EKR’s commercial operations in the past few months.

EKR Therapeutics was founded in late 2005 by Howard Weisman, Chairman and CEO, and Richard DeSimone who has since served the Company as a director and as Chief Financial Officer. “In fact Richard has worn several hats during EKR’s formative period,” noted Weisman. “His remarkable ability to successfully multitask is representative of his strengths as a business executive, an operating officer, and a true entrepreneur.”

As EKR’s CFO, DeSimone has been in the forefront of the Company’s successful activities to raise capital which to date amounts to over $180 million secured through a combination of private equity and debt financing rounds. Additionally, he has been actively engaged in building the Company’s commercial operations which have grown from a single product and ten sales representatives in late 2006 to now having four on-the-market products, one development stage compound, and a field force of some 100 product specialists.

“Given the dramatic expansion in our operations, creating the position of COO and having Richard formally take on this role were natural developments in EKR’s evolution as a specialty pharmaceutical company,” said Weisman.

DeSimone noted that “EKR has advanced from a start-up situation to a profitable commercial operation in a comparatively short time frame, fueled in large part by the dedication and spirit of the entire EKR team.” He concluded by saying, “As COO, I look forward to further collaborating with Howard and working with the outstanding team of individuals at EKR to continue to drive our Company’s long-term growth.”

About EKR Therapeutics 

EKR Therapeutics is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company that has brought together a highly seasoned team of industry professionals. The Company focuses on the acquisition, development and commercialization of proprietary products to enhance patient quality-of-life in the acute setting, including cardiovascular, pain management and oncology supportive care medications.  From its inception in late 2005, EKR has been organized to be a class leader in commercializing products to address unmet and under-satisfied medical needs or to otherwise enhance the therapeutic value of acute-care prescription products. EKR’s goal is to be the pre-eminent provider of specialty acute-care products, backed by a commitment to excellence in customer service and medical education programs.  The Company’s growing portfolio of specialty acute-care products includes Cardene® IV (nicardipine hydrochloride), Cardene SR®, Retavase® (reteplase recombinant), DepoDur® (morphine sulfate extended-release liposomal injection) and Gelclair® (bioadherent oral gel). For additional information about EKR visit the Company’s website at www.ekrtx.com. 




Contact for EKR Therapeutics
Stuart Z. Levine, Ph.D.
Director, Strategic Communications
877-435-2524
s.levine@ekrtx.com