Medivir announces Niklas Prager as upcoming President and CEO

– SWEDEN, Stockholm – Medivir AB (STO:MVIR-B) today announces that the company’s Board of Directors has appointed Niklas Prager as new President and CEO of Medivir AB effective 1 September 2014. Niklas Prager will succeed Maris Hartmanis who, as previously announced, leaves the position of President and CEO of Medivir.

Niklas Prager holds a Degree of Master of Science in Business Administration and Economics from the Stockholm School of Economics, and has held a variety of different positions, mainly in the pharmaceutical industry, throughout his career. Niklas has long experience from both high-growth research- and technology-based companies as well as major  international pharmaceutical companies. His previous positions include working for Merck Co. Inc. both in the US and Sweden and serving as the CEO of Pfizer AB, Envirotainer AB and Qbtech AB.

Niklas is thoroughly familiar with Medivir’s operations, having earlier served as Chairman of the Board of BioPhausia, and he was elected to the Board of Medivir in May 2014.

“I am delighted to welcome Niklas to the position of CEO of Medivir,” says Birgitta Stymne Göransson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Medivir. “The Board has carried out an extensive recruitment process during the spring which involved several highly qualified candidates. Niklas has a background in both biotech and big pharma, and his large network of contacts in the Swedish and international pharmaceutical industries make him an ideal choice for us. Niklas will in particular be able to contribute and strengthen Medivir in the important areas of strategic business development and commercialisation.”

“I look forward to taking up the position as CEO of Medivir,” says Niklas Prager. “Medivir is an attractive company in an exciting phase of its development following the successful market introduction of simeprevir. Together with the Board, the highly skilled research team and all other Medivir employees, I will be focusing on further value creation and enhanced visibility of Medivir’s potential. An update of Medivir’s strategic plan is the number one priority, and work on this is already well under way.”

As Niklas Prager takes up the position of CEO of Medivir he will be leaving the company’s Board of Directors. He will also be offered to participate in Medivir’s Long Term Incentive Program for 2014. The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Maris Hartmanis and express its appreciation for his work as Medivir’s President and CEO since 2011.

About Medivir

Medivir is an emerging and profitable research-based pharmaceutical company with an established marketing and sales organisation in the Nordic region with a broad portfolio of prescription pharmaceuticals. Medivir receives royalties from Johnson Johnson’s global sales of the hepatitis C pharmaceutical, Olysio. In addition, revenues for sales of Olysio in the Nordic region are generated through the company’s own sales and marketing organisation. Medivir’s research and development portfolio of pharmaceuticals is based on the company’s expertise within polymerase and protease drugs targeting different disease areas. The company’s current research and development is focused on infectious diseases, bone related disorders, neuropathic pain and oncology. Medivir is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm Mid Cap List.

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