Experienced Biotech Entrepreneur and Investor to Bring Strategic Growth Expertise to Sernova Source: Sernova Corp FOR RELEASE February 11th, 2014, 6:00 a.m. EST LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire – February 11th, 2014) - Sernova Corp. (TSX-V: SVA), a clinical stage company developing medical technologies for the long-term treatment of chronic debilitating metabolic diseases including diabetes, blood disorders such as haemophilia and other diseases, today announced the appointment of Mr. Frank Holler to its Board of Directors. A Vancouver-based entrepreneur and investor, Holler brings 25 years of success-driven experience in the biopharma and technology sectors to Sernova’s board. He has been directly involved in the founding and development of some of Canada’s most successful biopharma companies including ID Biomedical, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals and Xenon Pharmaceuticals.
“Frank possesses the ideal combination of coveted bio-science experience and strategic relationships with institutions and pharma to guide Sernova’s strategic advancement,” stated Dr. George Adams, Sernova’s Board Chair.
“I am pleased to be joining the board of Sernova,” said Mr. Holler. “Sernova’s CEO, Dr. Philip Toleikis is a former Angiotech colleague and I am looking forward to working with him and the Sernova team as we advance Sernova’s therapeutic cell-based product development programs and drive value for shareholders.”
Mr. Holler previously served as President & CEO of Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a genetics-based drug development company focused on the treatment of rare inherited medical conditions, President & CEO of ID Biomedical Corporation, a vaccine development company sold to GlaxoSmithKline in 2005, and was a founding director of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, a TSX/NASDAQ-listed biotechnology company. He was also an investment banker with Merrill Lynch Canada and Wood Gundy, Inc. (now CIBC World Markets) and former director of the British Columbia Biotechnology Association (now LifeSciences BC), and in 2003 received the BC Biotech Award for Vision and Leadership. “Frank’s extensive industry experience, capital markets expertise and strategic insights will be very helpful as Sernova continues to advance its programs,” said Dr. Philip Toleikis, President and CEO of Sernova. “In particular, I believe his background in corporate finance, strategic partnering and M&A will be a good fit for Sernova as we continue to build out the Company’s leading position in regenerative medicine.”
Sernova also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 150,000 incentive stock options on February 11, 2014 to certain directors of the Company to purchase common shares in the capital stock of the Company subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Each option entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.15, for a period of 5 years, in accordance with the provisions of the Sernova Stock Option Plan.
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