SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 13, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lipocine Inc. (OTCQB:LPCN) (OTCBB:LPCN), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that Dr. William I. Higuchi will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Michigan at the winter commencement ceremony, Sunday December 15, 2013.
The University notes Dr. Higuchi's contributions in helping build its College of Pharmacy while serving as a faculty member for 20 years and being "internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to the science of drug formulation and delivery."
Following his career at Michigan, Higuchi led The University of Utah's Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. While in Utah, Higuchi also helped start-up several pharmaceutical companies, including serving as chairman of Theratech Inc. His honors recently include Japan's Order of the Rising Sun for his outstanding work in pharmaceutical sciences and his role in promoting Japan—U.S. cooperation.
Higuchi, an advisor to the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, and his late wife Setsuko Higuchi were instrumental in the building of an interpretive center on the site of Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming. Their daughter, Shirley Ann Higuchi, a Michigan graduate, chairs this foundation that also oversees the center.
"The award recognizes Dr. Higuchi's ground breaking contributions to the science of drug delivery," said Dr. Mahesh Patel, Lipocine's CEO. Patel completed his Ph.D. under Dr. Higuchi's program at The University of Utah but initially attended Michigan while Higuchi was a faculty member there.
Also receiving honorary degrees are Michele Norris-Johnson, NPR correspondent and host, Doctor of Humane Letters; Willard L "Sandy" Boyd, Rawlings-Miller Professor of Law and president emeritus of The University of Iowa, Doctor of Laws; Dr. David Satcher, the 16th surgeon general of the United States and a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Doctor of Science; Lou Anna K. Simon, current president of Michigan State University, Doctor of Laws; Helen Zell, executive director of the Zell Family Foundation, Doctor of Humane Letters.
The doctor of science honorary degree allows the University to acknowledge dedication and exceptional advancements obtained from distinguished individuals. The selection of choosing the recipients of the degree begins with a nomination from the honorary degree committee, after which several board members and committees evaluate and select those who have surpassed expectations and are worthy of the prestigious title.
About Lipocine Inc.:
Lipocine Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative products for use in men's and women's health using its proprietary drug delivery technologies. Lipocine's lead product candidate, LPCN 1021, is Phase III ready and is targeted to treat symptoms of low testosterone for men in need of testosterone replacement therapy. Additional pipeline candidates include LPCN 1111, a next generation longer-acting oral testosterone therapy product and LPCN 1107, which has the potential to become the first oral hydroxyprogesterone caproate product indicated for the prevention of preterm birth.