Adrian Adams

Biography

Mr. Adams is Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc. and served in this role with the company’s predecessor, POZEN Inc., since June 1, 2015. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Adams served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from December 2011 until its acquisition by Endo International plc in January 2015 for $2.6 billion. Under his leadership, Auxilium transformed into a men’s healthcare company and broadened its portfolio from two to twelve through the strategic corporate acquisition of Actient Holding LLC and product in-licensing. Prior to joining Auxilium, Mr. Adams served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Neurologix, Inc., a company focused on development of multiple innovative gene therapy development programs. Before Neurologix, Mr. Adams served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he oversaw the commercialization and development of prescription pharmaceutical products and led the company through a strategic acquisition by global pharmaceutical leader Merck & Co., Inc. in May 2011 for $430 million.Prior to Inspire, Mr. Adams served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sepracor Inc. from December 2006 until its acquisition by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co in February 2010 for $2.6 billion. Under his leadership, Sepracor conducted multiple strategic corporate development activities, including the in-licensing of seven products and out-licensing deals with two major pharmaceutical companies, prior to its acquisition by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Prior to joining Sepracor, Mr. Adams was President and Chief Executive Officer of Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2002 until the acquisition of the company by Abbott Laboratories in December 2006 for $3.7 billion. During his tenure he led the transformation of Kos into a fully integrated and profitable pharmaceutical company with annual revenues approaching $1 billion. During his 30 years of experience, Mr. Adams also held general management and senior marketing positions at ICI (now part of AstraZeneca), SmithKline Beecham and Novartis. He has extensive international and national experience and has been instrumental in launching major global brands in addition to driving successful corporate development activities encapsulating financing, product and company acquisitions, in-licensing and company M&A activities. Mr. Adams graduated from the Royal Institute of Chemistry at Salford University in the U.K. Mr. Adams serves as Chairman of the Board of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals and recently served as a director of Amylin Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Adams is Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc. and served in this role with the company’s predecessor, POZEN Inc., since June 1, 2015. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Adams served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from December 2011 until its acquisition by Endo International plc in January 2015 for $2.6 billion. Under his leadership, Auxilium transformed into a men’s healthcare company and broadened its portfolio from two to twelve through the strategic corporate acquisition of Actient Holding LLC and product in-licensing. Prior to joining Auxilium, Mr. Adams served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Neurologix, Inc., a company focused on development of multiple innovative gene therapy development programs. Before Neurologix, Mr. Adams served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he oversaw the commercialization and development of prescription pharmaceutical products and led the company through a strategic acquisition by global pharmaceutical leader Merck & Co., Inc. in May 2011 for $430 million.Prior to Inspire, Mr. Adams served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sepracor Inc. from December 2006 until its acquisition by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co in February 2010 for $2.6 billion. Under his leadership, Sepracor conducted multiple strategic corporate development activities, including the in-licensing of seven products and out-licensing deals with two major pharmaceutical companies, prior to its acquisition by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Prior to joining Sepracor, Mr. Adams was President and Chief Executive Officer of Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2002 until the acquisition of the company by Abbott Laboratories in December 2006 for $3.7 billion. During his tenure he led the transformation of Kos into a fully integrated and profitable pharmaceutical company with annual revenues approaching $1 billion. During his 30 years of experience, Mr. Adams also held general management and senior marketing positions at ICI (now part of AstraZeneca), SmithKline Beecham and Novartis. He has extensive international and national experience and has been instrumental in launching major global brands in addition to driving successful corporate development activities encapsulating financing, product and company acquisitions, in-licensing and company M&A activities. Mr. Adams graduated from the Royal Institute of Chemistry at Salford University in the U.K. Mr. Adams serves as Chairman of the Board of AcelRx Pharmaceuticals and recently served as a director of Amylin Pharmaceuticals.

Research Interest

Interested in Business Management.