Hemispherx Biopharma Inc. named Anthony A. Bonelli president and chief operating officer on Tuesday.

Bonelli was previously CEO of Optigenex Inc., a New York life sciences company. Prior to that he was president of Anthony Bonelli Associates Inc., a health-care consulting firm; and president and COO of Neuman Health Services, a pharmaceutical wholesaler of Ridgefield, N.J.

Dr. William A. Carter, chairman and CEO of Hemispherx (AMEX HEB), believes Bonelli's "experience and expertise" will help the company develop strategies to expand revenue for its natural human interferon Alferon N injection, which has received Food and Drug Administration approval as a treatment for genital warts, and its experimental therapeutic Ampligen.

Carter said Hemispherx is getting ready to file a new drug application seeking approval for Ampligen as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bonelli is replacing Doug Hulse, who has been serving part-time as president and COO under a contract arrangement with health-care consultant The Sage Group of Branchburg, N.J., where he is executive director.