TORONTO, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Microbix Biosystems Inc. today announced that Elliott W. Knox, a director since 2000, is stepping down from the Board of Directors and that Dr. Peter M. Blecher has been appointed.
Mr. Knox has retired to devote his attention to a Toronto-based private equity investment business. He will continue to provide advice to the Company on a consulting basis.
Mr. Knox’s place on the Board is being filled by Dr. Peter M. Blecher, former CEO of Sequent Biotechnologies Inc., a private biotechnology company that Microbix acquired in September 2005. Sequent was the exclusive licensee from the University of Guelph of a proprietary Sperm-Sexing Technology (SST) that will enable sex-selection of cattle and swine livestock prior to conception. Microbix has acquired worldwide rights to the technology through the acquisition.
Dr. Blecher is an emergency trauma physician at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, a large acute-care hospital east of Toronto. He is a graduate of McGill University and the founder of Sequent.
“Dr. Peter Blecher brings a wealth of front-line clinical experience that will contribute directly to the development and licensing activities for our biotherapeutics and vaccine products. His extensive knowledge of the international artificial insemination market will also be a major asset to our ongoing SST program,” said William J. Gastle, President and CEO.
Microbix specializes in developing proprietary biological technologies and commercializing them through global partners. Its products include biotherapeutic drugs, vaccines, and infectious disease diagnostics. Established in 1988, Microbix is headquartered in Toronto.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. For instance, product development and field trials may proceed slowly or not at all and may not result in products that can be commercialized, savings by producers may not reach value estimates or at all and sales may not reach sales targets or be made at all. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Microbix Biosystems Inc.
CONTACT: visit www.microbix.com or contact: William Gastle, President andCEO, Microbix Biosystems Inc., (416) 234-1624 x 230
