Melbourne, Australia:  Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX:SPL, OTCQX:SPHRY) has today announced the appointment of Ms Zita Peach as a Non-Executive Director.

 Zita has more than 20 years of commercial experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in marketing and business development, working for major industry players such as CSL Limited and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), the Australian subsidiary of Merck Inc.

Her core strengths include pharmaceutical marketing, commercialization of pharmaceutical portfolios, acquisitions and international partnering.

 At CSL Ms Peach was Vice President directing business development, where she oversaw commercialization of CSL’s extensive early stage R&D portfolio and licensing agreements, and was involved in due diligence and acquisitions including Zenyth and Aventis Behring.

 She is currently the Managing Director and Executive Vice President, South Asia Pacific for Fresenius Kabi Australia, a leader in infusion therapy and clinical nutrition.

Until recently Ms Peach was Vice President/Director, Business Development R&D for CSL, a position she held for ten years.  Prior to that she held senior commercial and marketing roles at MSD and Amrad Pharmaceuticals.

 Starpharma Chairman Peter Bartels said: “We are very pleased to welcome someone with the extensive nature of Zita’s experience in marketing pharmaceuticals, global business development and innovation.  Her appointment comes at a time when Starpharma is advancing from strength to strength in the maturation of its extensive portfolio of products and we are confident her skills and experience will be of significant benefit.”

 Ms Peach is also a Board Member of BioMelbourne Network, and a Non-Executive Director of the ASX-listed Vision Group Holdings.

 The appointment is effective from 1 October 2011.

Download ASX Announcement: Ms Zita Peach appointed non-executive director (pdf file, 138kb)