Tidmarsh joins Spectrum

IRVINE, Calif. The founder of Horizon Pharma and Threshold Pharmaceuticals has joined a biotechnology company as its new SVP, chief scientific officer and head of research and development operations.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals -- a developer of hematology and oncology drugs -- announced Monday that George Tidmarsh will manage all of the company’s scientific operations, including clinical research, medical and regulatory affairs, biostatistics and data management and pharmaceutical operations.

Tidmarsh has had an extensive career spanning more than 20 years. Not only was he founder of Horizon Pharma and Threshold Pharmaceuticals but he served as chief medical officer at Coulter Pharmaceuticals, playing a key role in the $142 million codevelopment deal with SmithKline for its radiopharmaceuticals product, Bexxar, for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“During the past several years, we have laid the groundwork for significant growth in 2010 and beyond and, I believe, we now stand on the cusp of great commercial and clinical success,” said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, board chairman, CEO and president of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. “I am confident that Dr. Tidmarsh, a successful biotechnology leader with more than 20 years of experience in our industry including FDA drug approvals, has the requisite qualities to enable us to accomplish the objective of helping improve the quality of life of cancer patients while increasing shareholder value for Spectrum stockholders.”