Magellan Laboratories Appoints Director,
Pharmaceutical Development

Ninad Deshpanday, Ph.D. bolsters pharmaceutical development, biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics expertise at full-service PDO

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC - Magellan Laboratories, a full-service pharmaceutical contract research and development organization, appointed Ninad Deshpanday, Ph.D. as director of pharmaceutical development, Pharmaceutics Division.

With more than 11 years of pharmaceutical experience, Dr. Deshpanday comes to Magellan with an impressive background in product development and drug delivery technology, specifically product development of New Chemical Entitities (NCEs) and product line extensions, biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics. Deshpanday has had successful filings of product applications in several therapeutic areas and dosage forms, including several immediate-release and controlled-release formulations that have led to approval in the United States, Europe and Japan.

"In addition to Ninad's notable leadership, he brings a proven product development record emphasizing speed and innovation to our Pharmaceutics team," says Dr. Bill Stagner, senior vice president and general manager, Pharmaceutics and Microbiology Divisions.

Most recently, Deshpanday was the global product director, Pharmaceutics at aaiPharma in Wilmington, N.C., where his leadership and direction led to a record year (2000) in Pharmaceutics business for the company. Deshpanday has also held positions at TheraTech, Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah, now Watson Pharmaceuticals, and Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals.

Additionally, Deshpanday earned his doctor of philosophy degree in pharmaceutics from the University of South Carolina and master's and bachelor's degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutics/pharmaceutical technology from Gujarat University in India.

Magellan's Pharmaceutics Division offers expertise in all aspects of pre-clinical and clinical pharmaceutical development, such as: drug candidate screening; pre-formulation studies; product formulation of liquid, semi-solid, solid and inhalation dosage forms; and clinical supply manufacture and packaging. The Division has distinguished itself through prescription drug development experience leading to more than 50 new drug applications (NDAs) and development experience in more than 40 over-the-counter (OTC) products.

About Magellan Laboratories:
Founded in 1991 by leading pharmaceutical scientists, Magellan Laboratories serves the continually changing needs of the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries by providing a complete range of GLP/GMP compliant analytical testing and development. Magellan's client roster lists about 200 active contractors, including nine of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

Magellan has received numerous honors, including a 2001 Deloitte & Touche North Carolina "Tech 50" Award, eight-consecutive Triangle Fast 50 awards (#2 rank by Triangle Business Journal) and designation as the 1999 North Carolina Pharmaceutical Company of the Year (NCEITA Award, Healthcare/Pharmaceutical Division).

Magellan Laboratories features seven strategic divisions: Analytical, Inhalation, Microbiology, Structural Chemistry, Synthesis, Research and Bioanalytical, and Pharmaceutics. Magellan has facilities in Research Triangle Park, N.C. and a biotechnology facility in San Diego, C.A. For more information on Magellan Laboratories, visit www.magellanlabs.com.