CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC, a clinical-stage drug-development company commercializing new drugs for the treatment of life-threatening unmet medical needs, today announced the addition of Mark T. Giles to its Board of Directors.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080610/NETU101 )
Mr. Giles is the Chairman of the Board of Virginia National Bank in Charlottesville, Virginia. He also is the managing member of Panda Holdings, LLC, which engages in the investment and management of private capital. In addition to VNB and Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC, Mr. Giles is a director of GreenVolts, Inc. and Avir Sensors, LLC.
From January 1998 to June 2007, Mr. Giles served as the founding President and CEO of Virginia National Bank and from January 1995 through 1997, he served as President of Sterling Bank and its parent company, Sterling Bancshares, Inc., a publicly-traded Houston, Texas financial institution. Prior to joining Sterling, he had been President of Charter National Bank- Houston and its parent company, Charter Bancshares, Inc., a publicly traded Houston financial institution he had joined in 1986 as Chief Financial Officer. Until 1986, he had practiced law with the banking group of the Houston law firm Bracewell & Guiliani, LLP. In Charlottesville, Mr. Giles chairs the boards of Computers4Kids and the Thomas Jefferson Area United Way. He also is a director of Martha Jefferson Hospital.
In 1977, Mr. Giles received a BS degree in Finance from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and was recipient of the faculty’s outstanding finance major award. He received a J.D. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1980.
“We are fortunate that Mr. Giles has decided to join Diffusion Pharmaceuticals’ Board of Directors,” said David G. Kalergis, CEO. “His extensive experience further strengthens our business and financial leadership capabilities.”
About Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC
Diffusion Pharmaceuticals LLC is a clinical-stage drug-development company commercializing a family of first-in-class drug candidates to treat serious or life-threatening medical conditions. These proprietary small molecules use a novel method of action to enhance oxygen diffusion to oxygen deprived (hypoxic) tissue. Potential clinical applications include cancer, critical care uses such as trauma, hemorrhage, stroke and heart attack, as well as chronic conditions such as peripheral arterial and vascular disease, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders. Enhanced diffusion of oxygen into hypoxic tissue has an important application in oncology by improving the efficacy of radiation therapy in cancerous tumors. A Phase 1 study for its lead molecule, trans sodium crocetinate (TSC), in healthy subjects was successfully completed in 2007. The company is now initiating proof-of-concept and dose-finding studies in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy and in peripheral arterial disease patients suffering from intermittent claudication. Diffusion Pharmaceuticals, which is privately held, is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. For more information, visit www.diffusionpharma.com.
CONTACT: Tracey Linkous, Director of Communications of Diffusion
Pharmaceuticals LLC, +1-434-220-0718, tlinkous@diffusionpharma.com
Web site: http://www.diffusionpharma.com/
