Avadel Pharmaceuticals Expands Leadership Team with Appointment of Susan Rodriguez as Chief Operating Officer

Core Insights - Avadel Pharmaceuticals has appointed Susan Rodriguez as Chief Operating Officer to lead the company's commercial strategy and operations, particularly in relation to the launch of LUMRYZ [1][2][17] - Rodriguez brings over 30 years of experience in the life sciences industry, having held leadership roles in various biopharmaceutical companies, which positions her well to support Avadel's growth and market expansion [2][17] Company Developments - LUMRYZ, an extended-release sodium oxybate medication, was approved by the FDA on May 1, 2023, as the first and only once-at-bedtime treatment for cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy [3][5][17] - The FDA also approved LUMRYZ for pediatric patients aged 7 years and older on October 16, 2024, further expanding its market potential [3][5] Clinical and Regulatory Highlights - The approval of LUMRYZ was supported by the REST-ON™ Phase 3 trial, which demonstrated significant improvements in excessive daytime sleepiness, overall patient functioning, and cataplexy attacks compared to placebo [4][5] - LUMRYZ has been granted 7 years of Orphan Drug Exclusivity due to its clinical superiority over existing treatments, providing a once-nightly dosing regimen that enhances patient care [5][6] Market Position and Strategy - The company aims to scale operations to meet increasing patient demand for LUMRYZ, particularly in the narcolepsy community, and is exploring potential label expansion to include idiopathic hypersomnia [2][17] - Rodriguez's expertise in launching innovative therapies in rare diseases is expected to be instrumental in accelerating the growth of LUMRYZ and maximizing its market impact [2][17]