Ablynx Appoints Edwin Moses as CEO.GHENT, Belgium -- Ablynx, the pioneer in the discovery and development of Nanobodies(TM), a novel class of antibody-derived therapeutic proteins, has announced that Dr Edwin Moses “Ed Moses” redirects here. For the swimmer, see Ed Moses (swimmer). Edwin Corley Moses (born in Dayton, Ohio August 31, 1955) is an American track and field athlete who won gold medals in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. has accepted the Board's offer to extend his role as Chairman to include that of Chief Executive Officer. Edwin has been non-Executive Chairman of Ablynx since November 2004. He takes over the CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. role from Mark Vaeck, Ph.D., who will continue to support the Company in a consultative capacity. Edwin is a well recognised and highly respected business leader, with a successful track record in creating company value and attracting finance, both in the private and public arena. He is internationally experienced in the life science industry, having spent extended periods in Germany, UK and Italy as well as having had extensive business activities in the USA. Over the past five years he has made a substantial contribution at Board level (primarily as Chairman) to over 15 European life sciences companies. During this time he has been involved in financing rounds totalling more than EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 100m and in a series of M&A transactions as well as two IPOs. Prior to this, as CEO and then Chairman of Oxford Asymmetry Asymmetry A lack of equivalence between two things, such as the unequal tax treatment of interest expense and dividend payments. International (OAI (Open Application Interface) A computer to telephone interface that lets a computer control and customize PBX and ACD operations. ), he successfully grew the Company between 1993 and 1998 from four people to 250 people, through several venture capital financing To start an own company or to bring a new product to the market, the venture may need to attract financial funding. There are several categories of financing possibilities. If it is a small venture, then perhaps the venture can rely on family funding, loans from friends rounds then to a full listing on the London Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange London marketplace for securities. It was formed in 1773 by a group of stockbrokers who had been doing business informally in local coffeehouses. at a GBP GBP In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the British Pound. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 120m (EUR 175m) valuation in 1998. He then led the cross border sale of OAI to Evotec Biosystems AG two years later at a valuation of GBP 316m (EUR 460m). Commenting on his new role, Edwin said: "I consider Ablynx to be one of the most exciting emerging drug discovery companies that I have seen. I am delighted by this fantastic opportunity to play a more hands on role in the development of Ablynx as a world leader in developing Nanobodies(TM) into an outstanding new class of antibody-derived therapeutic proteins. The people and technology at Ablynx are of the highest quality and together with our strong Board I intend to ensure that the Company fulfils its full potential as a leading player both within the rapidly evolving Benelux biotech bi·o·tech n. Informal Biotechnology. biotech Noun short for biotechnology Noun 1. cluster and on the world stage." Commenting on the appointment, Frank Bulens of GIMV said: "Under the leadership of Mark Vaeck, Ablynx has made tremendous progress. It is at an exciting stage. With significant deals with pharmaceutical partners in place and a pipeline of pre-clinical candidates, Ablynx is poised for substantial growth and development into an integrated biopharmaceutical product Company. As part of this development, the Company needs a CEO with experience of both private and public financing, and an international track record of successfully building value in the private and public arena. We are delighted that Edwin has agreed to take on the role." Mark Vaeck added: "Ablynx has aggressive growth plans and is now ready to make the transition to the next stage in its development. This requires a strengthening of the management team and in particular a CEO who has broad and international experience in both private and public companies. Having worked closely with Edwin in his role as Chairman of Ablynx over the past one and a half years I have appreciated his exceptional talent and capabilities. As a co-founder and shareholder of the Company I am confident that Edwin will create significant value for Ablynx in his new role as CEO." Ablynx has pioneered the development of its proprietary Nanobodies(TM), a novel class of therapeutics therapeutics Treatment and care to combat disease or alleviate pain or injury. Its tools include drugs, surgery, radiation therapy, mechanical devices, diet, and psychiatry. that combine the beneficial features of conventional antibodies, with desirable properties of small-molecule drugs. As the smallest functional fragment of naturally occurring single-domain antibodies, Nanobodies(TM) can address therapeutic targets not easily recognized by conventional antibodies, including active sites of enzymes and receptors, such as GPCRs, today's most important class of therapeutic targets. Additionally, Nanobodies(TM) can be produced cost-effectively at large-scale, have a long shelf-life, and can be administered through a variety of routes including oral and topical application. Since commencing operations in 2002, Ablynx has initiated three pre-clinical programs in the areas of inflammation and thrombosis thrombosis (thrŏmbō`sĭs), obstruction of an artery or vein by a blood clot (thrombus). Arterial thrombosis is generally more serious because the supply of oxygen and nutrition to an area of the body is halted. , and a broad range of discovery programs in a variety of indications. Ablynx has the financial backing of some of the sector's leading investors and has signed collaborative drug discovery deals with Novartis, Centocor (J&J), Kirin Brewery A brewery can be a building or place that produces beer, or a business (brewing company) whose trade is the production and sale of beer. Breweries can take up multiple city blocks, or be a collection of equipment in a homebrewer's kitchen. and Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. - ends- For full release please visit the website at www.ablynx.com |
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