PITTSBURGH, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL) today announced that its Board of Directors has voted unanimously to appoint Robert J. Cindrich and Heather Bresch to Mylan's Board. With the appointments of Cindrich and Bresch, Mylan has expanded its board to 11 members.

Robert Cindrich is a distinguished attorney and former jurist who currently serves as senior advisor to the Office of the President at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), a global heath enterprise. In that role, Cindrich advises UPMC's senior management and board of directors on key corporate governance and strategic business issues. He also is jointly responsible for UPMC's biosecurity initiatives. Cindrich previously was senior vice president and chief legal officer for UPMC. Before joining UPMC, Cindrich served as a highly respected judge in the U.S. District Court for Western Pennsylvania for 10 years. Prior to that appointment, he was active in both government and private practice, including positions as the Allegheny County Assistant Public Defender and Assistant District Attorney, and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  

Cindrich also has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and at the Duquesne University School of Law. In addition, he is chair of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law's board of visitors, chair of the Heinz History Center, chair of the 21st Century Biodefense Inc. board of directors and a member of the board of directors of UPMC Mercy Hospital. Cindrich is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves and the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

"I am very excited to be joining Mylan, a company that I have long admired for its strategic vision, impeccable reputation and commitment to providing access to high quality, affordable pharmaceuticals to people around the world," said Cindrich. "I look forward to working alongside the other members of the board to enhance Mylan's industry leadership and maximize its growth potential at such a critical time in the evolution of our nation's health care system."

Mylan Chairman and CEO Robert J. Coury commented: "Robert's integrity, independence and outstanding judgment and experience will further strengthen Mylan's board as we enter the next phase of the company's history. Robert's knowledge of the health care sector, his keen intellect and his deep legal background, including his prestigious tenure as a federal judge, also will be valuable assets to Mylan as we face a continually evolving regulatory and legal landscape. I and the other board members are truly pleased to welcome Robert to the Mylan Board of Directors."

Heather Bresch is currently president of Mylan, responsible for the day-to-day global operations of the company. Previously, Bresch was Mylan's chief operating officer, responsible for global commercial and technical operations, strategic planning, business development and government relations. Throughout her 19-year career with Mylan, Bresch has held various other positions of increasing breadth and responsibility, including serving as head of Mylan's North American operations and chief integration officer following the acquisitions of Matrix Laboratories and Merck KGaA's generics business. Prior to these positions, she served as senior vice president of strategic development in the Office of the CEO.  

In addition to her responsibilities at Mylan, Bresch served two consecutive terms as chairman of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association and one term as its vice chairman. She has been actively involved in the debate over critical industry issues, including the passage of the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act, which helped to expand consumer access to affordable pharmaceuticals.

"I have been privileged to work at Mylan for close to two decades and to take part in the company's transformation into the global industry leader it is today," said Bresch. "I am truly honored to join Mylan's Board, and I look forward to working alongside my fellow directors and playing a new role in shaping the company's strategic direction during this next exciting phase of Mylan's growth."  

Coury commented: "I and the other board members are thrilled to welcome Heather to the Mylan Board of Directors. She brings a deep understanding of Mylan and an unmatched perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing our industry. Heather has been instrumental in building the powerful and innovative global platform we have today and is a driving force behind our success. Heather's knowledge of and passion for the company and the generics industry will be invaluable to the board as we chart the future for Mylan."

Mylan Inc. ranks among the leading generic and specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world and provides products to customers in more than 150 countries and territories. The company maintains one of the industry's broadest and highest quality product portfolios supported by a robust product pipeline; operates one of the world's largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers; and runs a specialty business focused on respiratory, allergy and psychiatric therapies. For more information about Mylan, please visit www.mylan.com. For more information about generic drugs, please visit www.ChoosingGenerics.com.

SOURCE Mylan Inc.