PixarBio has appointed Taunia Markvicka as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Markvicka joins PixarBio from Pacira Pharmaceuticals, where she was Chief Commercial Officer responsible for US sales of post-op pain drug Exparel. Markvicka will report to Frank Reynolds, the company's founder and Chief Executive Officer.

PixarBio said that Markvicka is another important piece to the company's growing leadership infrastructure, and in maintaining momentum toward commercialization of NeuroRelease, PixarBio's non-opiate and non-addictive pain treatments with expected FDA approvals in 2018. The company noted that Markvicka brings a wealth of hands-on commercial experience and extensive leadership skills to PixarBio She was at Pacira Pharmaceuticals for the past seven years, most recently as their SVP, Chief Commercial Officer where she was responsible for all North American sales and marketing efforts for the global launch of Exparel, as well as, National Accounts, Sales Training, Analytics and Operations. Markvicka will develop and execute PixarBio's overall Sales strategy while overseeing all product launches.