IntelGenx Technologies Corp. has made changes to its management team. Following the planned retirement of its founder and CEO, Horst Zerbe, the new executive leadership team iwill support continued global growth as a CDMO for oral films and transdermal products, and to prepare for the potential commercialization of RIZAFILM VersaFilm, an oral thin film formulation of rizatriptan benzoate (active ingredient in Merck & Co.’s Maxalt), and Buprenorphine Buccal Film, a generic version of Belbuca (buprenorphine buccal film), in the U.S.

Dwight Gorham has been named CEO. Gorham has an accomplished history of senior leadership success in the life sciences industry with executive management roles spanning more than three decades. Most recently he served as President and CEO of Pillar 5 Pharma Inc., a pharmaceutical contract manufacturing organization (CMO) with a specialty in sterile ophthalmic products.

“I believe Dwight is exceptionally well-qualified to lead IntelGenx as we continue to advance our portfolio of innovative film products and product candidates,” said Zerbe. “He is a seasoned leader with an exceptional track record and reputation, who has helped nurture and build great product franchises and businesses. His experience brings not only a relevant depth of knowledge of pharmaceutical product development and commercialization, but also the leadership skills necessary to build upon IntelGenx’s market-leading position. While it has been a pleasure steering the Company to this pivotal stage, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to its success as Chairman, I am confident that I am passing the CEO torch into the right hands.”

Before joining Pillar 5 in 2015, Gorham served as senior vice president and general manager global operations of Pharmascience Inc., a leading Canadian generic drug company with an international presence in over 60 countries. Prior to that, he held a variety of senior roles at Accucaps Industries Ltd., a variety of management assignments at Draxis Pharma Inc., and the Canadian arm of Glaxo plc (now GSK plc).

Andre Godin, IntelGenx’s president and chief financial officer, will continue in his current position, with overall responsibility for day-to-day operations, financial reporting and budgeting, as well as managing the Company’s relationships and interactions with the investment community. He will now report to Mr. Gorham.

IntelGenx also welcomed David Kideckel, to its team in the newly created position of head of corporate development and strategic alliances of IntelGenx Corp., the company’s operating subsidiary. Kideckel brings more than 15 years of business development, advisory, and capital markets experience. In 2021 he founded the Kideckel Advisory Group Inc., where he advised growth-oriented companies on business and corporate development, capital markets and overall strategic initiatives. Prior to that, Kideckel was recruited from industry to capital markets to build healthcare and life sciences equity research franchises, most recently serving as managing director, senior institutional equity research analyst at ATB Capital Markets Inc.

Tommy Kenny was promoted to the position of senior vice president, general counsel of IntelGenx Corp. Since joining the Company in 2016, Kenny has held a number of progressive management positions; most recently serving as Vice President, Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs, General Counsel of IntelGenx Corp.

Meanwhile, Karen Kalayajian, who was previously IntelGenx’s senior director, corporate services and corporate controller, has now taken on additional responsibilities as vice president, finance of IntelGenx Corp. Reporting to Godin, she will be responsible for financial reporting, planning, treasury and taxation. Prior to joining IntelGenx, Kalayajian was Director of Finance of Neptune Technologies & Bioresources Inc. Previously, she held a series of progressive audit manager positions at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton and WSBG.

The company said that the U.S. FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of April 17, 2023 for completion of the review of IntelGenx’s RIZAFILM 505(b)(2) new drug application (NDA), as well as a Generic Drug User Fee Act (GDUFA) date of April 28, 2023 for the review of an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for Buprenorphine Buccal Film, filed by the product’s co-developer, Chemo Research SL, through its agent and affiliate, Xiromed LLC.