13 January 2012 - US-based Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:SVNT) said today it had appointed David Veitch as president of its European business, effective 16 January.

Veitch has over 24 years of pharmaceutical experience at Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) and SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals as well as a  broad expertise across the EU in marketing, sales and general management. He has significant knowledge in the fields of oncology, virology, CV-metabolism, central nervous system diseases and immunology. Most recently, he led the brand commercial organisation for Europe at Bristol Myers Squibb.

Veitch will report directly to Savient's CEO and president John H Johnson and will drive the European operations of the US company including the launch and future growth of KRYSTEXXA (pegloticase), which is intended to treat chronic gout in adults refractory to conventional treatment.

In May 2011 Savient filed its European Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for KRYSTEXXA expecting to gain EU approval in the second half of 2012.  Savient estimates KRYSTEXXA will be available in the EU on a named patient basis by the end of March 2012.