BOSTON, June 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Albireo Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALBO), a clinical-stage orphan pediatric liver disease company developing novel bile acid modulators, today announced the appointment of Jason G. Duncan as General Counsel and Secretary. In this role, Mr. Duncan will be responsible for Albireo’s global legal affairs, and serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team and board of directors.

“With the initiation of our Phase 3 trial of A4250 in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), Albireo has entered the next stage of growth, and we must continue to build the company for the future,” said Ron Cooper, President and Chief Executive Officer of Albireo. “Jason’s extensive legal and compliance leadership experience with both development and commercial orphan products will be a tremendous asset to the company. We are pleased to welcome him to Albireo.”

Mr. Duncan joins Albireo with more than 15 years of legal and compliance experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He most recently served as General Counsel at Stallergenes Greer, where he oversaw all legal activities for the allergy immunotherapy company’s Americas business. Previously, Mr. Duncan was Vice President, Head of Compliance and Legal for Sobi, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on rare inflammatory and genetic diseases. At Sobi, Mr. Duncan was responsible for all legal and compliance matters for the company’s North American affiliates, and served on the leadership team. Prior to Sobi, Mr. Duncan held roles of increasing responsibility at EMD Serono, culminating in his position as Associate General Counsel for Neurology and Discovery.

“I am excited to join Albireo at this pivotal moment in the company’s history,” Mr. Duncan said. “I look forward to supporting the company’s growth and long-term success, and to working with Albireo’s talented team on bringing potentially transformative medicines to patients and their families.”  

Earlier in his career, Mr. Duncan practiced at Nixon Peabody, LLP, advising corporate and life sciences companies on a broad range of corporate matters and transactions. Mr. Duncan received a J.D. and graduated magna cum laude from Suffolk University Law School, and holds a B.A. in political science from Dickinson College.

About Albireo
Albireo Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused through its operating subsidiary on the development of novel bile acid modulators to treat orphan pediatric liver diseases, and other liver and gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. Albireo’s lead product candidate, A4250, is being developed to treat rare pediatric cholestatic liver diseases and is in Phase 3 development in its initial target indication, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. Albireo’s clinical pipeline also includes two Phase 2 product candidates. Albireo’s elobixibat, approved in Japan for the treatment of chronic constipation, is the first ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor approved anywhere in the world. Albireo was spun out from AstraZeneca in 2008. 

Albireo Pharma is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and its key operating subsidiary is located in Gothenburg, Sweden. For more information on Albireo, please visit www.albireopharma.com.

Investor Contact:
Hans Vitzthum                                    
LifeSci Advisors, LLC.                       
212-915-2568                                     

Media Contact:
Heather Anderson
6 Degrees
980-938-0260
handerson@6degreespr.com 

Source: Albireo Pharma, Inc. 

Source: Albireo Pharma, Inc.