BELLEVILLE, ON, July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. , a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced changes to its Animal Health and Food Safety divisions’ leadership team. Mr. Rick Culbert has been appointed as President of Bioniche Food Safety and Mr. Jim Phillips has been appointed as President of Bioniche Animal Health (global). Mr. Martin Warmelink, former President of Bioniche Animal Health (global) and Bioniche Food Safety has left the Company after six years to pursue other interests.
Mr. Phillips has been President of Bioniche Animal Health USA, Inc. since 1997 and has been employed with the Company since 1985.
“Jim has been a real asset to the Company as leader of the Animal Health unit with an impressive sales history,” noted Mr. McRae. “He has creatively delivered increasing market share for Bioniche Animal Health products in the U.S. and, as one of the Company’s longest serving employees, has a breadth of knowledge about our products, markets, and opportunities that will serve him very well in his new role.”
Mr. Culbert has been President of Bioniche Animal Health Canada Inc. since 2002 and has been employed with the Company since 1980. Most recently, Mr. Culbert has served as E. coli Project Leader, preparing for the introduction of Bioniche’s E. coli O157:H7 cattle vaccine to the Canadian market.
“Rick has shown tremendous creativity and leadership as we have prepared to begin selling this innovative vaccine in Canada,” said Mr. McRae. “His years of experience in animal health product sales and marketing, along with his leadership skills and personable nature, make him the ideal person to lead the Food Safety division going forward.”
Reporting to Mr. Phillips will be Mr. Andrew Grant as Divisional President, Bioniche Animal Health Export Sales, Europe and Australia. In this role, he will oversee the European and Australian operations, as well as exports. Mr. Grant has most recently served as Managing Director, Bioniche Animal Health Europe, where he was responsible for sales of Bioniche products in that jurisdiction over the past two years. Before moving to Europe, Mr. Grant led the Bioniche Animal Health A/Asia team in Australia as Managing Director. Mr. Grant has been with the Company since 1998.
“We are fortunate to have such a talented and experienced group of individuals within our organization,” added Mr. McRae. “Their knowledge of both domestic and international markets is extensive, and they have creative ideas as to how Bioniche can expand its global market share.”
On the Food Safety front, Bioniche has been producing limited supply of the E. coli O157:H7 cattle vaccine, with which it will enter the Canadian market in the next several weeks. The vaccine will be made available through Canadian veterinarians under the Permit to Release Veterinary Biologics process, which was agreed to by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) last December. The Company will share information about the initial sales of the vaccine as they occur.
About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The fully-integrated company employs approximately 185 skilled personnel and has three operating divisions: Human Health, Animal Health, and Food Safety. The Company’s primary goal is to develop proprietary cancer therapies supported by revenues from marketed products in human and animal health. For more information, please visit www.Bioniche.com.
Except for historical information, this news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s ongoing quarterly and annual reporting.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
CONTACT: Jennifer Shea, Corporate Communications & Investor RelationsManager, Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., Telephone: (613) 966-8058, Cell:(613) 391-2097, Jennifer.Shea@Bioniche.com
