Motif Bio Announces Appointment of Andrew Powell to Board of Directors
Motif Bio plc (AIM/Nasdaq: MTFB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specialising in developing novel antibiotics, today announced the appointment of Andrew Powell, J.D. as Non-executive Director, effective immediately. Mr. Powell has served as General Counsel at several biotechnology firms, including CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Imclone Systems, Cornerstone Therapeutics, Intermune and, most recently, Medivation. His extensive experience in the life sciences industry and strong expertise in commercialisation strategy, corporate expansion, governance, and mergers and acquisitions will provide Motif Bio’s Board of Directors with important skills as the Company moves forward.
Bruce Williams, Interim Chairman of the Board of Motif Bio, said: “I am pleased to welcome Andrew to Motif Bio’s Board of Directors and very much look forward to working with him. Andrew’s experience in preparing companies for the next phase in their growth, be it through partnering or M&A, will be invaluable as Motif Bio evaluates the many opportunities to build on the accomplishments over the last five years.”
Andrew Powell, J.D., said: “I am delighted to join the Motif Bio Board at this important time for the Company. I am impressed with the team and what they have been able to achieve in a short period of time. I look forward to working with the Board and management to build value for Motif Bio shareholders.”
Mr. Powell is currently an independent advisor to small and mid-size companies and research institutions in the life sciences sector. While working in-house, he played a key role in developing ImClone, InterMune and Medivation into focused organizations equipped for global growth and in completing three major deals: the sale of Medivation to Pfizer, the sale of InterMune to Roche and the sale of ImClone to Lilly. While at CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals and Cornerstone Therapeutics, he helped to navigate change and reinvent the companies’ strategies. He began his industry career at Baxter International, where he worked for nearly 15 years in positions of increasing responsibility, including serving as Chief International Counsel and Bioscience Division General Counsel.
In addition to Motif Bio, Mr. Powell serves on the Boards of Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc., Landec Corporation and Synthorx Inc. Mr. Powell attended Winchester College in England, holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has a J.D. from Stanford Law School.
The following information is disclosed pursuant to Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies:
Full name and age: Andrew Kenneth Williams Powell (age 61)
Current directorships:
- Aclaris Therapeutics Inc
- Cure Network Ventures
- Landec Corporation
- Synthorx Inc
- Sciaderm Inc
- Cure Network Ventures
Previous Directorships:
- NeuDrive Limited
Mr. Powell has been granted options to acquire 100,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the Company at an exercise price of 8.14 pence per ordinary share, being the closing price of ordinary shares on April 25, 2019.The options granted have a vesting period of 48 months, may be exercised up to the tenth anniversary of the grant and are not subject to performance criteria.
No further information in connection with his appointment is required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.
For further information please contact:
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Motif Bio plc |
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Graham Lumsden (Chief Executive Officer) |
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Peel Hunt LLP (NOMAD & JOINT BROKER) |
+44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
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Dr Christopher Golden |
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Oliver Jackson |
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SP ANGEL CORPORATE FINANCE LLP |
+44 (0)20 3470 0470 |
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(JOINT BROKER) |
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David Hignell |
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Vadim Alexandre |
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Rob Rees |
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Walbrook PR Ltd. (UK FINANCIAL PR & IR) |
+44 (0) 20 7933 8780 |
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Paul McManus/Helen Cresswell/Lianne Cawthorne |
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MC Services AG (EUROPEAN IR) |
+49 (0)89 210 2280 |
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Raimund Gabriel |
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Russo Partners (U.S. PR) |
+1 (858) 717-2310 or +1 (212) 845 4272 |
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David Schull |
Note to Editors:
About Motif Bio
Motif Bio plc (AIM/NASDAQ: MTFB) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel antibiotics designed to be effective against serious and life-threatening infections caused by multi-drug resistant Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA. The Company’s lead product candidate is iclaprim. Motif Bio is seeking approval of iclaprim from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). More than 3.6 million patients with ABSSSI are hospitalised annually in the U.S. It is estimated that up to 26% of hospitalized ABSSSI patients have renal impairment.
The Company also has plans to develop iclaprim for hospital acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP), including ventilator associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP), as there is a high unmet need for new therapies in this indication. A Phase 2 trial in patients with HABP has been successfully completed and a Phase 3 trial is being planned. Additionally, iclaprim has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis and is in preclinical development for this indication.