EXTON, Pa., Sept. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDRA), a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of its proprietary immune modulator, tilsotolimod, for the treatment of cancer, today announced that Howard Pien joined its Board of Directors, effective September 18, 2018.

Mr. Pien has worked in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for more than three decades. In addition to Idera, Mr. Pien serves as the Non-executive Chairman of Indivior PLC. Previously Mr. Pien was the Lead Independent Director of ViroPharma Incorporated, Chairman of the Board of Vanda Pharmaceuticals and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Juno Therapeutics. Mr. Pien’s additional prior Board service includes Ikaria Inc., Immunogen, Inc. and Sage Therapeutics.

Mr. Pien was the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Medarex, Inc, until it was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Chiron Corporation, until it was acquired by Novartis. Mr. Pien was the President of Pharmaceuticals at SmithKline Beecham and the President of International of GlaxoSmithKline. Early in his career, Mr. Pien served in roles at Abbott Laboratories and Merck & Co. Mr. Pien received a B.S. from MIT and an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University.

“I am pleased to welcome Howard to the Idera Board,” stated Jim Geraghty, Chairman of Idera’s Board of Directors. “Howard’s exceptional experience in building industry-leading companies will be a tremendously valuable addition as Idera continues its growth toward becoming a patient-focused commercial biotechnology company.”

“I am thrilled to in a position of working together with Howard again,” stated Vincent Milano, Idera’s Chief Executive Officer. “My experience of Howard’s presence in a board setting through my time when we were together at ViroPharma was incredibly appreciated and rewarding and I am looking forward to continuing that collaborative effort here at Idera.”

The company today is also announcing that Mr. Julian Baker of Baker Brothers Investments, is stepping down from the Board of Directors effective September 18, 2018. Mr. Baker has served on the Idera Board of Directors since 2014. During his time on the Board, Mr. Baker played an integral role in providing strategic guidance and also was instrumental in shaping the company’s current leadership team ultimately bringing a new level of strategic focus to Idera.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to serve on the Board of Idera for the past four years,” stated Julian C. Baker. “I have the utmost confidence in Vin and his leadership team. I fully support the direction that they are leading Idera to enhance shareholder value over the long term.”

About Idera Pharmaceuticals

Harnessing the approach of the earliest researchers in immunotherapy and Idera’s experience in developing proprietary immunology technologies, Idera’s lead development program is focused on priming the immune system to play a more powerful role in fighting cancer, ultimately increasing the number of people who can benefit from immunotherapy. Idera is committed to working with investigators and partners who share the common goal of addressing the unmet needs of patients suffering from difficult to treat, unmet cancers. To learn more about Idera, visit www.iderapharma.com.