Avadel Pharmaceuticals Appoints Sev Melkonian as Vice President of Patient Services, Distribution, and Reimbursement

Rhea-AI Summary

Avadel Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AVDL) has appointed Sev Melkonian as Vice President of Patient Services, Distribution, and Reimbursement. Melkonian brings over 20 years of healthcare operations and patient services leadership experience, most recently serving at Takeda Pharmaceuticals where he led Patient Access Partner Operations.

The appointment comes as Avadel continues its search for a new Chief Commercial Officer while focusing on establishing LUMRYZ as the preferred oxybate treatment in the narcolepsy community. Melkonian's expertise includes building healthcare operations, managing patient support service teams, and navigating rare disease drug commercialization.

Melkonian's educational background includes an MBA from Northeastern University, an MHA from Suffolk University, and a BS in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. His previous experience also includes leadership roles at CVS Health's Pharmaceutical Purchasing Organization.

Positive

• Strategic hire with extensive experience in rare disease patient services and drug commercialization
• Strengthens commercial leadership during CCO transition period
• Brings valuable expertise in patient access and support services for LUMRYZ commercialization

Negative

• Currently operating without a Chief Commercial Officer

News Market Reaction – AVDL

+1.27%

1 alert

+1.27% News Effect

On the day this news was published, AVDL gained 1.27%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

DUBLIN, Ireland, Jan. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: AVDL), a biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming medicines to transform lives, announced today that Sev Melkonian has joined the company as Vice President of Patient Services, Distribution, and Reimbursement. Mr. Melkonian has extensive industry experience building and leading healthcare operations and patient support service teams across global healthcare and biopharmaceutical organizations.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sev to the Avadel team," said Greg Divis, Chief Executive Officer of Avadel Pharmaceuticals. "Providing comprehensive support to patients and providers and continuously improving their experience with LUMRYZ is critical to Avadel’s success. Sev’s expertise in establishing and leading patient access centers of excellence while navigating the complexities of commercializing new drugs in the rare disease space makes him uniquely qualified to accelerate LUMRYZ’s adoption as the preferred oxybate for patients and providers. His background and skillset will be invaluable as we search to replace our Chief Commercial Officer and, in parallel, continue establishing LUMRYZ’s leadership within the narcolepsy community."

Mr. Melkonian brings more than 20 years of healthcare operations and patient services leadership to Avadel. Most recently, he led Patient Access Partner Operations at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where he directed teams in support of Takeda’s USBU Portfolio including Rare Disease Patient Services Programs. Prior to joining Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Melkonian held leadership roles within CVS Health's Pharmaceutical Purchasing Organization in the areas of Pharmaceutical Trade, Distribution and Drug Pricing. Mr. Melkonian holds an MBA from Northeastern University, an MHA from Suffolk University, and a BS in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

“Joining Avadel at this juncture offers an exciting opportunity to build on its strong patient support foundation as the Company enters its next phase of commercial launch,” said Mr. Melkonian. “I look forward to helping narcolepsy patients and providers and optimizing their experience with LUMRYZ.”

About Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc

Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: AVDL) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming medicines to transform lives. Our approach includes applying innovative solutions to the development of medications that address the challenges patients face with current treatment options. Avadel’s commercial product, LUMRYZ^TM, was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as the first and only once-at-bedtime oxybate for the treatment of cataplexy or EDS in patients 7 years of age and older with narcolepsy. For more information, please visit www.avadel.com.

Investor Contact:
Austin Murtagh
Precision AQ
Austin.Murtagh@precisionaq.com
(212) 698-8696

Media Contact:
Lesley Stanley
Real Chemistry
lestanley@realchemistry.com
(609) 273-3162

FAQ

Who is the new Vice President of Patient Services at Avadel Pharmaceuticals (AVDL)?

Sev Melkonian has been appointed as Vice President of Patient Services, Distribution, and Reimbursement at Avadel Pharmaceuticals.

What is Sev Melkonian's experience prior to joining AVDL?

Melkonian has over 20 years of healthcare operations experience, most recently leading Patient Access Partner Operations at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and previously held leadership roles at CVS Health.

How will Melkonian's appointment impact LUMRYZ's commercialization for AVDL?

Melkonian's expertise in patient access and rare disease drug commercialization is expected to accelerate LUMRYZ's adoption as the preferred oxybate treatment for narcolepsy patients and providers.

What key positions is Avadel Pharmaceuticals (AVDL) currently seeking to fill?

Avadel Pharmaceuticals is currently searching for a new Chief Commercial Officer while continuing to establish LUMRYZ's market presence.