Michael Narachi, president and CEO of Orexigen Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity, has been named to the board of directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Narachi will serve as a director for a term of two years.

PhRMA represents the country's leading innovative biopharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives.

"PhRMA represents an industry dedicated to the noblest of missions: Improving the health of patients all over the world," said Narachi. "I'm honored to join the board of PhRMA, and I'm looking forward to being a part of an organization whose mission is to conduct effective advocacy for public policies that encourage discovery of important new medicines for patients."

Narachi has served as Orexigen's president and CEO and a member of Orexigen's board of directors since March 2009. Before joining Orexigen, Narachi served as chairman, CEO and president of Ren Pharmaceuticals, a private biotechnology company, from November 2006 to March 2009, and chairman of the board of directors of Naryx Pharma, a private pharmaceutical company. In 2004, Narachi left Amgen, where he served as an officer and vice president.

Narachi also currently serves as a member of the board of directors of BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization) and AMAG Pharmaceuticals, a publicly traded pharmaceutical company.