5 February 2019 - - US-based rare diseases therapeutics company ArTara Therapeutics has named Julio Casoy, M.D. as chief medical officer, the company said.

In an effort to further strengthen its clinical leadership team, ArTara also appointed Roger Garceau, M.D. to the ArTara board of directors.

Casoy's clinical career spans 35 years in multiple roles across clinical development and medical affairs.

Most recently he was chief medical officer of InClinica, a private CRO.

Prior to this, Casoy held several senior clinical leadership positions in both large and small biopharmaceutical companies such as Shire, Wyeth, Alkermes, and Sepracor.

His experience spans multiple therapeutic areas including rare diseases.

Through the course of his career Dr. Casoy has played an instrumental role in the clinical and commercial success of several high-profile treatment options.

Casoy completed his medical training at the Federal University of Sao Paulo, and also holds a Master's Degree in Health and Hospital Management from the Business Management School at the University of Sao Paulo Clinics Hospital.

Garceau has more than 30 years of broad pharmaceutical industry experience and joins the ArTara Board following his time as Chief Medical officer of NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc.

At NPS, Garceau led a number of rare disease programs, including the design and execution of the development plan and approval strategy for Gattex the most widely prescribed treatment for Short Bowel Syndrome in the world.

Garceau previously served in several leadership positions with Sanofi-Aventis and Pharmacia Corp.

He is a board-certified pediatrician and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Garceau completed his medical training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Both Dr. Casoy's and Dr. Garceau's appointments are effective immediately.

Choline Chloride for Injection is a replacement therapy for patients receiving parenteral nutrition who are choline deficient.

It has been granted Orphan Drug Designations by the FDA for both the treatment and prevention of Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease (IFALD).

Choline Chloride for Injection has shown promising results in both reversing steatosis and improving cholestasis in patients dependent on PN and who are also choline deficient, the company said.

ArTara is a rare diseases therapeutics company focused on optimising therapeutics for patients suffering from rare diseases where there is a significant unmet need.

The company's initial focus is on rare hepatology, metabolic and connective and structural tissue disorders. Following constructive EOP2 dialogue with the FDA in 4Q18, ArTara Therapeutics now intends to launch a pivotal, phase-3 study of Intravenous Choline Chloride substrate replacement for Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease (IFALD) in 2019.