Ventrus Completes Clinical Development Staffing

Completes Clinical Development Staffing

Feb. 1, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ventrus Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:VTUS), a

pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing

gastrointestinal products, today announced the completion of its clinical

development staffing.

has contracted Mohan Kabadi, Ph.D. as head of Pharmaceutical Product Development

and Manufacturing. Dr. Kabadi will be responsible for the supply of commercial

grade API and drug product for our products and for the development of the

extended release forms of Diltiazem cream. Previously, Dr. Kabadi was at

Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer, Faulding, and Roche. In the past 20

years, Dr. Kabadi has formulated, manufactured and successfully launched more

than 25 ethical, generic, and specialty products. Currently, he serves as the

President of American Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAiPS)

and holds membership as well as active participation in AAPS and

Shah has been employed as Vice President, Clinical Research and Development. Dr.

Shah has a Doctorate in Pharmacy from Rutgers University and drug development

experience from Novartis, Amgen, Fibrogen, and most recently was Director of

Clinical Strategic Planning at Celgene.

Scholl has been employed as Clinical Project Manager. Ms. Scholl has drug

development experience from Novartis and Merck Pharmaceuticals and most recently

S. DiArcangelo, CEO of Armonia Clinical Research, has been contracted to manage

our outsourcing activities. Ms. DiArcangelo's expertise includes

global outsourcing, project management, global contracting, site contracting,

process development, and site and service provider budget development and

Dietrich, formerly vice president of clinical operations of Ventrus and

currently consulting with Ventrus, will continue consulting with Ventrus, and

will manage our toxicology program and support our publication

activities. Dr. Dietrich received his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and has

been in the biopharmaceutical industry since 1979. Dr. Dietrich has held senior

management positions in drug research and development for a number of biotech

Russell Ellison commented on the completion of Ventrus clinical development

team: "We are very pleased to now be fully staffed with such a qualified and

experienced drug development team to help us optimally progress our exciting

is a development stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the

development of late-stage prescription drugs for gastrointestinal

disorders. Our lead product, Iferanserin (VEN 309) is a new chemical

entity, or NCE, for the topical treatment of hemorrhoids, which targets a

specific serotonin receptor (5HT2A) thought to be important in the disease. The

first late phase clinical trial (Phase III) with Iferanserin is expected to

start mid-year 2011 and we expect data to be available in the first quarter of

additional product candidate portfolio consists of two in-licensed late-stage

drugs intended to treat anal fissures (VEN 307) and fecal incontinence (VEN

308). The first Phase III clinical trial with Ven 307 has begun in Europe and we

expect data to be available in the second quarter of 2012. These candidates are

two molecules that were previously approved and marketed for other indications

and that have been formulated into our proprietary topical treatments for these

new gastrointestinal indications.

Note: The information provided herein contains estimates and other

forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such statements are just

predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the

actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties

include, among others: our ability to retain and hire necessary employees and to

staff our operations appropriately; the unpredictability of the clinical

development of our product candidates and of the duration and results of

regulatory review of those candidates by the FDA and foreign regulatory

authorities; the cost, timing and results of clinical trials and other

development activities involving our product candidates; our anticipated capital

expenditures and our estimates regarding our capital requirements; and the

possible impairment of, or inability to obtain, intellectual property rights and

the costs of obtaining such rights from third parties. The reader is referred to

the documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange

Biosciences, Inc. David

212-554-4506 dbarrett@ventrusbio.com