BALTIMORE, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Profectus BioSciences Inc., a biotechnology company that develops preventative and therapeutic technologies to reduce the morbidity and mortality of viral diseases, today announced that its board of directors has appointed Shawn Patrick O'Brien as the company's president and chief executive officer. O'Brien will also serve as a director of the company. The appointment comes as Profectus BioSciences enters the commercialization phase of operations.
To date, Profectus BioSciences has a unique relationship with the Institute of Human Virology (www.IHV.org), along with other academic and government institutions to gain access to breakthrough technologies focused on the treatment and prevention of AIDS/HIV. Currently, the Company has five technology platforms and two commercialization partners to progress the development of its AIDS vaccine for human and veterinary use. The Company plans to work with other commercialization partners to progress the other four promising technology platforms in the treatment of AIDS/HIV.
O'Brien has extensive global experience in business development, sales, licensing, and R&D at biotech and large pharma companies. He comes to Profectus BioSciences from Solstice Neurosciences Inc., where he served as president and chief executive officer since 2004. During his tenure at Solstice, O'Brien increased key sales by 90 percent, opened the EU market with new partners and patents, addressed unsettled patent issues and expanded the clinical development program to include six investigational new drugs (INDs).
Previously, O'Brien worked with AstraZeneca USA as vice president of commercial operations for emerging brands, and as vice president and therapy area leader for the respiratory and inflammation business unit. As the area leader, O'Brien was responsible for research and development, marketing and sales of the products in the area. From 1987 through 2001, he held various management positions at AstraZeneca in global and domestic roles in the USA, Canada, and the UK. Earlier, he was with the Upjohn Company of Canada.
O'Brien succeeds Joseph F. Berardino, who established a solid foundation for the company in its early years by putting the business platform in place to secure funding for the Company. Joe also played a critical role in solidifying partnerships to progress the five technology platforms. The board of directors credits Berardino for the company's emergence as a successful biotechnology business. Berardino will continue with the company as a director.
"I have enjoyed working with the founding scientists, management, board and staff of the company to bring Profectus to where it is today. The opportunities before us are immense and the company is on solid footing to make the most of our science and technology. Shawn is the ideal leader to take the helm as CEO," said Berardino.
In addition, the company's board of directors announced that Donald R. Caldwell will serve as its chairman. Caldwell, who initially joined the Profectus board of directors in June 2007, is founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Cross Atlantic Capital Partners Inc., an international venture capital firm focused on highly innovative technology companies.
Prior to founding Cross Atlantic Capital Partners, Caldwell was president and chief operating officer of Safeguard Scientifics and served in a number of executive and financial positions, including chief administrative officer of a predecessor company of Cambridge Technology Partners, Inc. and president of Atlantic Financial. Earlier, Caldwell earned his CPA and was a partner in the national office of Arthur Young & Co., after receiving his masters of business administration from the Graduate School of Business at Harvard University.
"Shawn has had many successes leading the commercialization of both small and large molecules in the bio-pharmaceutical sector. We look forward to working with him to accelerate the Company's progress in developing products to prevent and treat viral diseases," concluded Caldwell.
About Profectus BioSciences Inc.
Profectus BioSciences Inc. began operations in early 2005 to develop and commercialize technologies to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by human viral diseases, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS. Founded to fulfill the mission of its co-founders Drs. Gallo, Blattner, and Redfield (collectively, the founders) for "bench- top-to-bedside" medicine, the Company applies its specific scientific expertise to help commercialize promising unique technologies used for human and animal health. For more information please visit: www.profectusbiosciences.com.
meshulam@profectusbiosciences.comkjurrens@garfieldgroup.com
CONTACT: Jeff Meshulam of Profectus BioSciences, +1-443-543-5010,
meshulam@profectusbiosciences.com; or Kevin Jurrens of Garfield Group
Public Relations, +1-215-867-8600, ext. 273, kjurrens@garfieldgroup.com,
for Profectus BioSciences
Web site: http://www.profectusbiosciences.com/
http://www.IHV.org/
