Conatus Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of medicines to treat liver disease, has named Edward Smith III as senior vice president, regulatory affairs and quality assurance.

“We are pleased to welcome Edward to the Conatus senior management team,” said Steven Mento, president and chief executive officer, Conatus. “His substantial experience includes U.S. and European regulatory filings across multiple therapeutic areas and drug/device categories from preclinical development through post-approval label expansion. We believe that Edward’s broad familiarity with the drug development process, strategic understanding of regulatory pathways, and demonstrated proficiency in regulatory agency interactions will be highly relevant as we advance toward the initial opportunity for approval of emricasan in cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).”

Dr. Smith has been vice president, regulatory affairs and drug safety at Zogenix since October 2008, which he joined as senior director, regulatory affairs in April 2007.