DETROIT--Asterand plc (LSE: ATD), a leading provider of human tissue and human tissue-based research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in drug discovery research, today announces the appointment of Dalia Cohen Ph.D. as Asterand’s Chief Scientific Officer.
Dr. Cohen will have global responsibility for shaping and leading the Company’s scientific positioning and strategy. Dr. Cohen joins Asterand from Rosetta Genomics, a leading developer of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, where she currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Cohen has fifteen years experience working in several executive positions at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, including: VP and Global Head for Strategic Enabling Technologies and VP and Global Head of Functional Genomics.
Asterand’s CEO, Martyn Coombs, commented:
“We are delighted that Dr. Cohen has decided to join us. This appointment is a clear symbol of Asterand’s ambition. Dr. Cohen is a recognised name and leader in our field, and has a reputation as an innovative scientist with an in-depth knowledge of drug discovery and development, oncology, personalised medicine and diagnostics. She is extremely well connected amongst the pharmaceutical community and academia. Asterand now has twenty Ph.Ds, and with Dr. Cohen leading our science, we believe that she can help us move our company to the next level, and help us better serve our customers.”
Asterand’s CSO, Dalia Cohen, noted:
“I’m delighted to join this talented management team. Pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies are using human based methods in research, and I believe that this will increase dramatically in future years. Asterand has built a unique and strong position in human biospecimen quality and breadth, and in PhaseZERO services. In addition, through the acquisition of BioSeek, Asterand has added the possibility of using sophisticated human primary cell based models and screening to predict at an early stage whether compounds will work in patients. I’m eager to direct Asterand’s scientific strategy to maximise its growth potential over the long term.”
Contacts:
Asterand plc Martyn Coombs, Chief Executive Officer Tel: + 44 (0) 1763 211 600 / + 1 (313) 263-0960 John Stchur, Chief Financial Officer As above
Buchanan Communications Lisa Baderoon / Mark Court / Isabel Podda Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Daniel Stewart & Company plc Martin Lampshire Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 6550
About ASTERAND
Asterand plc is a leading supplier of high quality human tissue and tissue-based services. Our comprehensive approach to human tissue and research services offers pharmaceutical, biotech and diagnostic companies the unique opportunity to have one company meet all of their human biomaterial needs along the continuum of drug discovery and development. Our mission is to accelerate target discovery and compound validation and enable pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to take safer and more effective drugs into the market. For more information about Asterand go to www.asterand.com.
