STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, The Board of Directors of the independently associated worldwide Purdue/Napp/Mundipharma network of companies announces that Dr. Craig Landau is appointed President and CEO for the U.S. operations, Purdue Pharma L.P., headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, with immediate effect, and will retain responsibility for Purdue Pharma (Canada).

CEO Mark Timney is leaving Purdue to pursue other career opportunities. Mark’s tenure was distinguished by his ability to set a visionary goal for the organization, his work to transform the company to a future beyond opioids, and by developing an outstanding talent bench. The Board and Purdue colleagues will miss his professional strategic ability, integrity, and leadership. We thank Mark for his service and will continue to build on the strong foundation he laid during his time here.

Mark joined Purdue Pharma L.P. as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2014, following an impressive career with Merck, where he served in leadership roles for 15 years within the United States and abroad. At Purdue, Mark diversified the company in high-need areas and expanded beyond opioid-based pain treatments through strategic acquisitions and creative partnerships.

During his tenure, Purdue experienced significant diversification in the pain portfolio where the company announced a collaboration with AnaBios to advance the research of non-opioid, non-NSAID compounds for the treatment of chronic pain. Purdue also acquired the innovative, non-opioid, non-NSAID treatment VM-902A and the TrkA program in pain from VM Pharma. Additionally, a $790 million strategic research collaboration with Exicure to discover and develop treatments for psoriasis, a strategic collaboration with Eisai to jointly develop and commercialize the investigational candidate Lemborexant, and an alliance with Shionogi for the joint U.S. launch and commercialization of Symproic® (naldemedine) were all launched under Mark’s leadership.

Craig entered the pharmaceutical industry in 1997, and two years later joined Purdue Pharma L.P. Through his 14 years with the U.S. organization, he would eventually become Purdue Pharma L.P.’s Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of R&D Innovation, Clinical and Medical Affairs. In this role and as part of the Company’s Management Team, he and the R&D organization he led were responsible for a number of successful health policy initiatives as well as product registrations in the U.S. and other regions, including Butrans®, reformulated OxyContin®, Targiniq® ER and Hysingla® ER.

In 2013, he was appointed President and CEO of Purdue Pharma (Canada). Over the last three years, Purdue Pharma (Canada) has become a more diversified and stable business through the completion of multiple strategic business development transactions, as well as through contributions from its internal R&D function. In addition to a portfolio of approved prescription products for the treatment of pain, Purdue Pharma (Canada) offers prescription treatment options for patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and ophthalmic conditions, as well as over-the-counter (OTC) laxative, decongestant and antiseptic products.

Craig earned his B.Sc. in Physiology and Anatomy from Cornell University and his M.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He completed his Anesthesiology residency at Yale University, with specialty training in chronic pain management, obstetric and peripheral vascular anesthesia. He is also a U.S. Army Veteran, having concluded a distinguished 14-year career in 2005.

About Purdue Pharma L.P.

Purdue Pharma is a privately-held pharmaceutical company and is part of a global network of independent associated companies known for pioneering research in chronic pain and opioids with abuse deterrent properties. The company’s leadership and employees are committed to providing healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers quality products and educational resources to support their proper use. With Purdue Pharma’s expertise in drug development, commercialization and life-cycle management, the company is diversifying in high-need areas to expand through strategic acquisitions and creative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.purduepharma.com