Ernest Mario, PhD joins Board of Representatives at Fervent Pharmaceuticals

GREENVILLE, N.C., Oct. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fervent Pharmaceuticals of Greenville, NC, is pleased to welcome Ernest Mario, PhD to its Board of Representatives.

Dr. Mario is an experienced pharmaceutical executive and a recipient of the 2007 Remington Medal from the American Pharmacists' Association, pharmacy's highest honor.

"We are thrilled to have Dr. Mario join the Fervent team," CEO and founder George Royster said. "His pharmaceutical experience, particularly his expertise in bringing pharmaceutical products to market, will be invaluable to our growth as a women's health company."

Throughout his career, Dr. Mario has worked in drugstore pharmacy, research, and management in several pharmaceutical companies. He was named Chief Executive of Glaxo in 1989, when it was the second-largest drug company in the world. Dr. Mario led Glaxo's growth as it introduced five major products to the market and grew profits by 15%. He served as CEO of ALZA Corporation from 1993 until it was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2001. He then served as CEO of Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. until its acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline.

Dr. Mario is joining Fervent's Board of Representatives as the company's upcoming treatment for the vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, is in its Phase II clinical trial.

Vasomotor symptoms are often treated by hormone therapy, but Fervent's treatment is non-hormonal. "Hormone therapy is useful, but it also carries with it substantial risk," Dr. Mario said. "I think the avoidance of hormone therapy for this particular issue is a huge opportunity."

The upcoming product is an oral formulation of an existing compound that is FDA-approved for another indication. "This concept of finding new and important uses for FDA-approved drugs with known safety profiles is a brilliant concept," Dr. Mario said. "It's the basis upon which Fervent was established."

Dr. Mario said he looks forward to seeing the potential of FP-101 when the clinical trial is complete. "I think I can help the company determine the best way forward, assuming that the clinical data is positive. Clearly we will have a big advantage with all the work that George Royster has done up to this point. George's enthusiasm and leadership are key, and he has put so much effort into making this product a reality."

Dr. Mario is Chairman of Soleno Therapeutics and a Venture Partner with Pappas Ventures in Research Triangle Park. He has served as a trustee of Rutgers University, the University of Rhode Island, and Duke University, where he was previously Chairman of the Duke University Health System. Dr. Mario continues to devote his time to working with several charitable organizations and sitting on the boards of pharmaceutical companies. 

Fervent Pharmaceuticals, LLC, is a clinical-stage drug development company founded in 2011. It is focused on developing therapies targeting unmet medical needs in women's health, including vasomotor symptoms of menopause, known as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia.

For more information about Fervent, visit the company's website at www.ferventpharma.com.

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SOURCE Fervent Pharmaceuticals