Return to Current Article

Kythera Newsroom

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals Appoints New Chief Medical Officer

April 24, 2007

LOS ANGELES, April 24, 2007 – Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Kythera") announced today the appointment of Patricia Walker, MD, PhD as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Walker will lead clinical programs at Kythera as the company continues its pursuit of novel therapeutics for the growing aesthetic and medical dermatology markets.

Dr. Walker brings to Kythera more than 10 years of industry experience. Most recently, Dr. Walker was Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer responsible for research, development and regulatory affairs at Allergan Medical (formerly known as Inamed Corporation). Prior to joining Inamed, Dr. Walker was Vice President, Clinical Research and Development for skin care pharmaceuticals at Allergan, Inc. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Walker has led key product approvals in dermatology and aesthetic medicine including the development and approval of Tazorac!, BOTOX! Cosmetic, Hylaform!, Captique!, Juvederm!, Bioenterics! LAP-BAND! and Inamed! Silicone gel-filled Breast Implants1.

Prior to joining the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, Dr. Walker earned her MD/PhD (Physiology and Biophysics) at the University of Iowa. Following her degrees she completed a residency in Dermatology and a research fellowship in the Dermatology Branch, National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health (NIH). Dr. Walker is a board certified Dermatologist.

Dr. Walker takes over from Jay Birnbaum, PhD, a co-founder of Kythera who has served as Chief Medical Officer since the Company's inception while maintaining an active consulting practice. "Jay has been a great partner in helping chart Kythera's direction at a strategic level, as well as in rolling up his sleeves with our Product Teams to get clinical trials of ATX-101 and ATX-201 underway," said Keith Leonard, Kythera's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We wouldn't be where we are today without him, and will continue to rely on his counsel and involvement as one of our closest advisors."

“Patty’s extensive expertise in dermatology, including clinical, medical and regulatory, will be an incredible advantage to Kythera,” said Leonard. “I am excited to have her join our experienced senior team and am confident that our company will benefit significantly from her leadership.”

Kythera has ongoing clinical programs for ATX-101 in the US and Europe and for ATX-201 in Europe. Additionally, Kythera has active research programs and product candidates in photoaging, dermal contouring and topical neuromodulation.

1 Tazorac!, BOTOX! Cosmetic, Hylaform!, Captique!, Juvederm!, Bioenterics!LAP-BAND! and Inamed! Silicone gel- filled Breast Implants are registered trademarks of Allergan, Inc.