Singapore: Australia-based Phosphagenics recently announced the appointment of Dr Ross Murdoch as the chief executive officer. The former chief Dr Esra Ogru was jailed for fraud.

The drug delivery company said in a statement that Dr Murdoch, had more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare, biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Dr Murdoch has held management roles roles including senior vice president at specialty pharma Shire Pharmaceuticals, as well as president and COO of Prana Biotechnology.

Phosphagenics chairman, Mr Lawrence Gozlan, said, "It is a great pleasure to welcome Ross to Phosphagenics as CEO. His strong experience in R&D and management will add value to the Phosphagenics core business models."

Meanwhile, Phosphagenics has secured approval for a proof of concept phase II trial of TPM/Oxycodone in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is a well-established neuropathic pain model and drugs targeting the disorder have received orphan drug designation from the US FDA.