Brickell Biotech Announces Appointment of Industry Veteran Patricia Walker, MD, PhD as President and Chief Scientific Officer

Elizabeth Hussey, Pharm.D, Joins as Vice President, Product Development

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Brickell Biotech, Inc. (“Brickell”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of differentiated, innovative therapeutics to satisfy current unmet medical needs in the global dermatology markets, today announced that Patricia Walker, MD, PhD, has joined as President and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Walker, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and aesthetic dermatology, most recently served as the Chief Medical Officer for Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

Dr. Walker’s work as a clinical and research and development expert has contributed substantially to the world of dermatology. Over the past 10 years, she has played a key role in the development of new and important approved products in dermatology, including for Tazorac®, Botox® Cosmetic, Juvederm™, Hylaform®, Captique®, LAP-BAND®, Inamed® Silicone gel-filled breast implants and Kybella®.

“Dr. Walker’s deep expertise and leadership in research and development will be a valuable asset to Brickell as our novel compound for hyperhidrosis, BBI-4000, continues through the late-stage clinical development process,” said Brickell’s Chairman Charlie Stiefel. “With BBI-4000 already in a Phase 2b trial, and several clinical trials expected to initiate in the next year for our other programs, Dr. Walker is coming at the right time to help us leverage and build upon the great momentum we are experiencing.”

Dr. Walker received an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Iowa and completed a residency in Dermatology and a research fellowship at the National Institute of Health’s Dermatology Branch. She is an active Committee Member for the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), is a member of the American Dermatologic Association and holds medical licenses in Iowa and California.

“I’ve been following Brickell’s progress for some time and am impressed with their diversified pipeline of new molecular entities for various skin conditions,” said Dr. Walker. “There is a true scarcity of medical dermatology products in development, especially products that may be disruptive or cutting edge. This is the right time to be in medical dermatology development, and I’m looking forward to being part of the team that brings these promising compounds towards commercialization to meet the needs of patients.”

Brickell Biotech also announced a second significant senior hire: Elizabeth Hussey, Pharm.D, as Vice President of Product Development. Dr. Hussey joined Brickell from Stiefel (a GSK company), where she led early clinical and development activities for novel dermatology assets.

Dr. Hussey has prior experience in developing compounds across multiple therapeutic areas supporting numerous first-in-human administrations, as well as regulatory submissions, at GSK, Glaxo Wellcome and Glaxo, Inc. Dr. Hussey earned B.S. and Pharm.D degrees from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Clinical Research/Drug Development at UNC/Glaxo Inc.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Hussey to our team,” said Chairman Stiefel. “As we ramp up our clinical activities, Dr. Hussey’s insights – across all stages of drug development – will give us a further competitive edge.”

About Brickell Biotech

Brickell Biotech, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products for the treatment of skin diseases. Founded by a team of experienced pharmaceutical executives, Brickell’s development strategy includes: rapidly and cost effectively developing product candidates; executing strategic partnerships; maintaining a diversified product portfolio that addresses unmet medical needs; and leveraging professional relationships with thought leaders and contract research organizations in the pharmaceutical industry. For more information, visit www.brickellbio.com.

For Brickell Biotech
Anne Granfield, 646-805-2033
anne.granfield@finsbury.com

Source: Brickell Biotech, Inc.