Braeburn Pharmaceuticals appoints Michael M. Derkacz as President and CEO

Braeburn Pharmaceuticals announced that Michael M. Derkacz has been named as President and Chief Executive Officer and joins Braeburn’s Board of Directors. A biopharmaceutical executive with 25 years of commercial experience and proven success, most recently he was Senior Vice President and Head of Global Central Nervous System (CNS) and Pain Therapeutic Areas for Teva Pharmaceuticals (Teva).

“Mike is an accomplished and highly successful commercial leader, with deep expertise in launching new products, creating highly effective teams, and focused organizational leadership,” said Seth L. Harrison, M.D., Chairman of Braeburn. “We welcome Mike to Braeburn at this important moment in the Company’s growth, as we drive commercial efforts for our first approved product and finalize regulatory filings seeking approval of our flagship opportunity, CAM2038.”

During the past six years at Teva, Mike led the strategic development of the CNS and Pain Therapeutic Areas, advancing several clinical candidates, building market-leading brands, and directing important corporate acquisitions to expand the CNS pipeline and sustain leadership in the market. Mike led the launch of Copaxone 40 mg, considered one of the most successful product introductions in the multiple sclerosis category and within the industry. He joined Teva through the acquisition of Cephalon, where he served as Vice President of the CNS Business unit. Previously at Cephalon, he was Vice President, Marketing for CNS responsible for the award-winning launch of Nuvigil, as well as managing the commercial development and lifecycle strategy for Provigil.

“Braeburn represents a compelling and unique opportunity to make an important difference for patients suffering serious neurological and psychiatric disorders, including opioid addiction, pain, and schizophrenia,” noted Mike Derkacz. “With a broad portfolio of products, utilizing innovative technologies, Braeburn is poised to lead the way at a time when there is universal alignment among physicians, patients, payers, and the U.S. Government around the high sense of urgency to provide novel and effective treatments for those suffering from addiction. I look forward to working with the talented team at Braeburn to build upon the impressive track record of success they have achieved to date.”

Previously, Mike worked for more than 15 years at GlaxoSmithKline in positions of increasing leadership and commercial responsibility for major brands including Levitra, Paxil, Coreg, and its adult vaccine portfolio. He has been recognized for excellence in building award-winning strategic campaigns and leading pharmaceutical brands.

Behshad Sheldon, who joined Braeburn as a founding member in 2012, has announced that she is stepping down from Braeburn as President and CEO and from the Board of Directors, effective immediately, but will continue to serve as a consultant to Braeburn.

“We are grateful for the leadership and resolve Behshad has demonstrated, guiding Braeburn through clinical and regulatory challenges, resulting in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for our first product, as well as NDA readiness for CAM2038 and the creation of a strong clinical pipeline,” noted Dr. Harrison.

“Braeburn has been built on the mission to develop and deliver individualized, long-acting medicines to patients that suffer from serious, stigmatized neuropsychiatric disorders, such as opioid addiction, chronic pain, and schizophrenia,” said Ms. Sheldon. “I am proud of all we have accomplished and have great confidence that the team can build on the foundation set and attain the exciting clinical and commercial milestones anticipated in the years ahead.”