ARDSLEY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOR) today announced that Burkhard Blank, M.D. has assumed the role of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) effective immediately. Dr. Blank was appointed as Acorda’s interim CMO in January 2016, and previously served as CMO for several biopharmaceutical companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim.
“I am delighted that Burkhard has joined Acorda as our CMO,” said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. “Burkhard brings to Acorda an impressive record of successful drug development and approved NDAs. This will benefit Acorda’s entire pipeline, including our late-stage development programs, CVT-301 and tozadenant for Parkinson’s disease."
Dr. Blank’s primary responsibilities include: setting strategy for and execution of development programs from clinical trials through regulatory filings; oversight of post-marketing studies for approved products; and management of the Company’s medical affairs, clinical operations, regulatory affairs, drug safety and biostatistics departments.
“Acorda has a very exciting neurology pipeline with the potential to address significant needs in Parkinson’s disease, post-stroke, migraine and multiple sclerosis. With three separate clinical-stage programs that may advance care for people with Parkinson’s disease, we are positioned as a leader in PD therapeutic development,” said Burkhard Blank, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Acorda. “My top priorities are to focus on moving our late-stage programs CVT-301 and tozadenant for PD toward regulatory submissions, and to advance once-daily dalfampridine into Phase 3 clinical trials in post-stroke walking difficulty.”
Dr. Blank has more than 25 years of industry experience, holding senior leadership positions with responsibility for managing international clinical trial programs, as well as heading regulatory affairs, statistics, drug safety and related departments. As CMO of Boehringer Ingelheim, Dr. Blank oversaw the submission of five New Drug Applications (NDAs) and had direct responsibility for all aspects of presenting at two U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee Meetings; subsequently, all five NDAs received FDA approval.
Dr. Blank has also served as a strategic advisor to several biotechnology companies, leading the submission process for multiple Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs), successfully developing protocols for clinical trial programs, and overseeing communications with regulatory agencies. Dr. Blank received his medical degree from Universitaet Marburg, Germany.
Dr. Blank has collaborated with Acorda since 2014, first as consultant to the Company’s commercial and business development departments, and then as interim CMO beginning in January 2016.
About Acorda Therapeutics
Founded in 1995, Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with neurological disorders.
Acorda has an industry leading pipeline of novel neurological therapies addressing a range of disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, post-stroke walking difficulties, migraine, and multiple sclerosis. Acorda markets three FDA-approved therapies, including AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg.
For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: www.acorda.com.
