Cornerstone BioPharma Holdings welcomes David Price as CFO

CARY – Cornerstone BioPharma Holdings, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing prescription medications for respiratory disorders, announced Thursday that David Price will join the company as its executive vice president, finance, and chief financial officer.

Craig Collard, Cornerstone’s president and chief executive officer, noted that in addition to traditional financial duties, Price “will be invaluable in helping guide Cornerstone’s transition into a publicly traded company.”

Announced in May, Cornerstone’s merger with the publicly held Critical Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRTX) is targeted to close in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Price brings more than 20 years of international experience with leading accounting and investment banking firms, including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bear Stearns, and Jefferies & Company. He is currently serving as a managing director with Jefferies and leads its Pharmaceutical Services division.

"I am delighted to join Craig and his team who have built an excellent specialty pharmaceuticals business,” said Price. “The upcoming merger with Critical Therapeutics adds a further exciting element to Cornerstone's opportunities, and I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues to take the combined company to the next level."

Price will begin working at Cornerstone on Sept. 8, 2008.