- Appointment of Dr José Iglesias as Chief Medical Officer
- Dr Jeremy Simpson as Vice President of Clinical Development
- Dr Sue O'Connor as Vice President of Neuroscience Research
ADELAIDE, Australia, Sept. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bionomics Limited (ASX:BNO) (ADR:BMICY) has made three appointments to its executive team.
Dr José Iglesias joins Bionomics as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Dr Jeremy Simpson as Vice President of Clinical Development, while BNC210 project leader Dr Sue O'Connor has been promoted to Vice President of Neuroscience Research.
Dr Iglesias will commence employment on November 1st, 2012 and will bring to Bionomics over 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has spent the past six years in a variety of roles at global biopharmaceutical Celgene Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary Abraxis Bioscience. Most recently he served as Vice President of Clinical Development at Celgene with previous roles including CMO and Vice President of Global Clinical Development and Medical Affairs for Abraxis. Prior to this Dr Iglesias worked in several positions at US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly over 10 years, a period that included his appointment as Oncology Medical Advisor for Australia and the Asia Pacific region between 2002 and 2004.
An authority in medical research, Dr Iglesias has been published almost 60 times over the past 30 years. He completed his Doctorate of Medicine at the Montevideo School of Medicine.
Dr Iglesias will be employed by Bionomics Inc, Bionomics wholly owned US subsidiary.
Dr Jeremy Simpson is an expert in the oncology and central nervous system space and has spent over 20 years in the Asia Pacific region in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and research sectors. Most recently he was Scientific Affairs Director of Sydney healthcare company Fresenius Kabi Australia Pty Ltd. He also spent four years in director and managerial roles with ICON Clinical Research in both Sydney and Singapore.
Dr Simpson graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honours at University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology before completing his PhD at Brunel University in Uxbridge, UK.
Dr Sue O'Connor joined Bionomics nine years ago as a member of the drug discovery team before her appointment as Senior Director of CNS Research and Development. Previously she entered the biotechnology sector working on drug development projects in the Department of Gastroenterology at Flinders Medical Centre. Her role at Bionomics has included a high level of involvement with the identification of BNC210, a drug candidate with considerable potential as a new treatment for anxiety disorders.
"We welcome the arrival of Dr Iglesias and Dr Simpson. Their extensive pharmaceutical experience from across the globe will help push Bionomics through this next stage of pivotal trials and development," said Bionomics CEO and Managing Director Dr Deborah Rathjen.
"Dr O'Connor has been an excellent asset to the company in moving the BNC210 program to where it is today and this appointment is recognition of her capabilities."
About Bionomics Limited
Bionomics (ASX:BNO) is a leading international biotechnology company which discovers and develops innovative therapeutics for cancer and diseases of the central nervous system. Bionomics has small molecule product development programs in the areas of cancer, anxiety, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
BNC105, which is undergoing clinical development for the treatment of cancer, is based upon the identification of a novel compound that potently and selectively restricts blood flow within tumours. BNC105 offers blockbuster potential if successfully developed. A clinical program is also underway for the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression based on BNC210, a novel compound which stimulates neurite outgrowth. BNC210 is partnered with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals.
Bionomics' discovery and development activities are driven by its three technology platforms: Angene®, a drug discovery platform which incorporates a variety of genomics tools to identify and validate novel angiogenesis targets (involved in the formation of new blood vessels). MultiCore® is Bionomics' proprietary, diversity orientated chemistry platform for the discovery of small molecule drugs. ionX® is a set of novel technologies for the identification of drugs targeting ion channels for diseases of the central nervous system. These platforms underpin Bionomics' established business strategy and Bionomics is committed to securing partners for its key compounds.
For more information about Bionomics, visit www.bionomics.com.au
Factors Affecting Future Performance
This announcement contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the United States' Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this presentation that relate to prospective events or developments, including, without limitation, statements made regarding Bionomics' development candidates BNC105, BNC210, its licensing deal with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, drug discovery programs and pending patent applications are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including risks related to our available funds or existing funding arrangements, a downturn in our customers' markets, our failure to introduce new products or technologies in a timely manner, regulatory changes, risks related to our international operations, our inability to integrate acquired businesses and technologies into our existing business and to our competitive advantages, as well as other factors. Results of studies performed on competitors products may vary from those reported when tested in different settings.
Subject to the requirements of any applicable legislation or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which our securities are quoted, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this presentation.