BioDelivery Sciences’ longtime president, CEO to retire
RALEIGH, N.C. — BioDelivery Sciences International will see its longtime president and CEO retire. The company announced Wednesday that Dr. Mark Sirgo, who has served in these roles since 2005, will be retiring at the end of 2017. He will remain vice chairman of the company’s board of directors. The company said that the board and Sirgo would work to find a successor in the coming months.
"After thirteen years of leading BDSI from a start-up through three drug approvals and the creation of a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company, highlighted by the recent reacquisition and early commercial success of Belbuca, the business is very well positioned for long-term growth,” Sirgo said. “With the outstanding team we have built and the overall strength of the business, year-end felt like the appropriate time for me to retire from my day-to-day role. Announcing my plans now allows for the timely selection and onboarding of my replacement, a proven leader with significant commercial experience, before year-end.”
Sirgo was one of the founder of Arius Pharmaceuticals, which merged with BioDelivery Sciences in 2004, bringing BDSI the BioErodible MucAdhesive film technology that became the foundation of the company’s product pipeline. He has led the company through the development, approval and launch of Onsolis, Bunavail buccal film and Belbuca buccal film. The company recently reacquired the rights to Belbuca from Endo.
"Mark's accomplishments during his tenure reflect his commitment to hard work, a continual focus on building a quality pharmaceutical company and unwavering dedication to creating shareholder value,” BDSI chairman Dr. Frank O'Donnell, said. “Mark's leadership and vision for drug development, much of which has been built from the BEMA platform that was acquired when Mark joined BDSI, have been instrumental to BDSI's growth, including three successful drug approvals and the launch of a full commercial organization. We thank Mark for his innumerable contributions to BDSI and look forward to Mark's continued leadership through this transition and his continued guidance as vice chairman.”