Conatus Pharmaceuticals Appoints David T. Hagerty as Executive VP, Clinical Development

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. CNAT, a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of novel medicines to treat liver disease, today announced the appointment of David T. Hagerty, M.D., as Executive Vice President, Clinical Development, with oversight responsibility for the company's medical activities including Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, Quality Assurance and Drug Safety. "David brings a breadth of highly relevant drug development experience to the Conatus team," said Steven J. Mento, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Conatus, "covering the range from drug discovery through clinical development to regulatory approval and commercialization. His balanced perspective, reflecting advancement from operational to strategic roles through a variety of institutions, should be especially helpful as we prioritize the development of emricasan for multiple potential liver disease indications." Dr. Hagerty has been an independent consultant in clinical development since April 2013. He served as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Ardea Biosciences from 2011 to 2013. He previously served as a Vice President of Immunology and Rheumatology Clinical Research at Biogen Idec Inc. from 2006 to 2011, where he led the clinical development of rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus with joint development partner Genentech. Previously, Dr. Hagerty advanced through several management roles at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute from 1997 through 2006, most recently as Executive Director of Immunology Global Clinical Research and medical lead for the abatacept clinical development program. His earlier career included faculty and laboratory research duties at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Hagerty served for five years in the Medical Corps of the United States Navy, and was recalled to Active Duty in Operation Desert Storm. Dr. Hagerty received an M.D. degree from St. Louis University of Medicine and a B.S. degree from the University of Notre Dame. He is Board Certified in internal medicine and nephrology and has been United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) certified as a transplant physician.