A new executive takes on the challenges facing aaiPharma Inc. Ludo Reynders, Ph.D., became president and CEO, replacing Fred Sancilio, Ph.D. With the arrival of Dr. Reynders, Dr. Sancilio retires after 25 years with aaiPharma, turning over his responsibilities as chairman, president, CEO, and chief scientific officer. He continues to serve as a nonexecutive member of the company’s board of directors.
In the past few years, aaiPharma, which started out as a contract research organization, has been moving in a new direction by expanding its portfolio of marketed pharmaceutical products. Through acquisitions, the company launched its own brand of products with a focus on niche areas such as immunosuppression and pain management.
In 2001, aaiPharma (aaipharma.com) realigned its business units to reflect the broadening of offerings and the transition to a specialty pharmaceutical company. The company began to pursue the acquisition, development, and full commercialization of pharmaceutical brands in selected therapeutic areas. At the same time, a holding company was set up to oversee and direct the activities of three corporate entities: AAI International, which is a provider of product-development services; aaiResearch, which applies delivery-systems technologies and product life-cycle management expertise to maximize the franchise value of pharmaceutical products; and NeoSan Pharmaceuticals, which was set up to acquire pharmaceutical brands in selected therapeutic areas and extend their life cycle through additional development efforts...
