Discovery Laboratories Inc. announced changes to its board of directors and appointed a new Chief Executive Officer. The changes are effective immediately: W. Thomas Amick has resigned as Chairman of the board of directors and CEO. John G. Cooper has been named Discovery Labs' President and CEO and has been elected to the Company's board of directors.

Mr. Cooper served as Discovery Labs' Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2002-2010 and was appointed President and CFO in 2010. Mr. Cooper will continue to serve as Discovery Labs' CFO. John R. Leone has been appointed Chairman of the board.

Mr. Leone was elected to the Discovery Labs' board in November 2012. Mr. Leone brings to the company significant expertise and an outstanding track record in commercializing new products and technologies in the biopharmaceutical industry. Mr. Leone's career roles have included President and CEO at Cambrex Corporation, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Commercial Operations at Aventis Pharmaceuticals, and Senior Vice President & General Manager at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals.

Mr. Leone is currently a Partner at Paul Capital Healthcare where he focuses on investment opportunities in commercial-stage life science companies. Joseph M. Mahady has joined the company's board of directors. Mr. Mahady brings to Discovery Labs extensive strategic and operational experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Mr. Mahady had a 30-year career with Wyeth Corporation he served as President. Mr. Mahady has broad international commercial experience, including a direct leadership role in more than 30 product launches, and a successful record of developing profitable businesses based on transformational technologies. Dr. Max Link and Dr. Antonio Esteve have resigned from the company's board.