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Unilife Unveils New Leadership Team

John Ryan to take the helm as the new chief executive

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By: Tim Wright

Editor-in-Chief, Contract Pharma

Unilife Corporation has named new management appointments while also unveiling a strategic focus for its business on wearable injectors.

John Ryan, who has served as interim chief executive officer since March 2016 and senior vice president, general counsel and secretary since 2014, has been named president and chief executive officer.

Ian Hanson, who has served as senior vice president and general manager, has been named senior vice president and chief operating officer.

In addition, Stephanie Walters, who has served as the company’s associate general counsel since 2014, has been named senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Molly Weaver, who has served as vice president and general manager since 2011, has been named vice president of quality and regulatory affairs and chief compliance officer, replacing Mark Iampietro, who had served in this role since 2008. David Hastings, who has served as chief financial officer since 2015, will also assume the role of chief accounting officer, replacing Dennis Pyers, who will continue as senior advisor, special projects.

“Following a thorough search process conducted by Heidrick & Struggles that included both internal and external candidates, I am delighted to announce that the board has appointed John as president and chief executive officer,” said Mary Kate Wold, board chair, Unilife. “In addition to his extensive business and legal experience, John is a strong and effective leader with sound judgment who has a thorough understanding of our business. He was the clear choice among the candidates considered, having effectively led the company’s transformative transaction with Amgen and the company’s ongoing execution of its business strategy. His integrity and credibility with our employees, customers, and investors positions Unilife well for future success.”

Unilife said it will focus primarily on active and new customer programs in its portfolio of wearable injector systems. This primary focus on wearable injectors is expected to enhance operating efficiencies and better position the company to take advantage of commercial opportunities within the fast-growing market for wearable injectors, where Unilife has industry leading technology and a strong customer base.

In addition to other previously announced wearable injector programs with Sanofi and MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, Unilife has commenced wearable injector development programs with Amgen under its previously announced strategic collaboration.

“As most recently evidenced by our transformative strategic collaboration with Amgen, we have developed industry leading wearable injector technology and are working diligently to bring these products to market with our customers’ therapies,” said Mr. Ryan.

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