Noven appoints new member to board of directors

MIAMI A drug maker that develops therapies for bipolar disorder, hot flashes and other conditions and specializes in transdermal drug delivery has appointed a new member to its board of directors.

Noven Pharmaceuticals announced the appointment of Francois Nader, which will take effect May 22, immediately following the company’s annual stockholder meeting.

Nader is currently president and CEO of NPS Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on endocrine and gastrointestinal disorders. Before working for NPS, he was chief medical officer and a venture partner at life sciences venture capital firm Care Capital. Before that, he worked in several positions at Sanofi-Aventis for 14 years.

Nader will replace Sidney Braginsky, who is retiring from the board.

“We thank Sid Braginsky for his years of service and counsel to the company and welcome the scientific and industry insights that Dr. Nader will bring to the Novem board,” Noven board chairman Wayne Yetter said in a statement. “In particular, Francois’ substantial clinical, regulatory and medical expertise across a broad range of therapeutic categories, including women’s health and central nervous system disorders, should help Noven advance its product development pipeline and move closer to its goal of high growth in specialty pharmaceuticals.”