Dr. Victoria Hale to Build Upon OneWorld Health's Success for Broader Global Health Impact.

Founder Steps Down as CEO; Remains Chair of the Board of Directors

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Institute for OneWorld Health, the first nonprofit pharmaceutical company in the United States, announced today that its Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chair of the Board of Directors, Victoria G. Hale, Ph.D., will step down from the CEO position later this year, after serving in the role since OneWorld Health's inception in 2000.

Dr. Hale will continue in her role as Chair of the Board of Directors and will focus on the long-term strategic direction and governance of the organization while pursuing broader engagement with industry and social entrepreneurs around global health.

OneWorld Health achieved proof of concept with the approval of its first drug, Paromomycin IM Injection for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, by the Government of India in 2006. The listing of the drug on the WHO's Essential Medicines List and widespread publication of research findings including, the New England Journal of Medicine, validated OneWorld Health's model of nonprofit drug development for neglected diseases.

"I am excited to assume this new leadership role which will enable me to engage in strategic and entrepreneurial approaches to solving vexing global health problems," said Dr. Hale. "At the same time I am deeply honored to serve OneWorld Health by continuing to steer its lifesaving work as Chair of the Board of Directors."

Dr. Hale established her expertise in all stages of biopharmaceutical drug development at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; and at Genentech, Inc. She presently maintains an Adjunct Associate Professorship in Biopharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

In addition to its work on visceral leishmaniasis, OneWorld Health is currently spearheading research and development projects in malaria and diarrheal disease. OneWorld Health receives substantial funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"The Institute for OneWorld Health's success is testament to Dr. Hale's scientific acumen and commitment to global health," said Dr. Tachi Yamada, President of the Gates Foundation's Global Health Program. "I'm very pleased that OneWorld Health will continue to benefit from her leadership and vision as Board Chair."

Dr. Hale's recent honors include being named a 2006 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellow. Other recent achievements include selection as a Senior Ashoka Fellow by Ashoka for work in leading social innovation (2006), Executive of the Year by Esquire Magazine (2005), The Economist Innovation Award for Social and Economic Innovation (2005), and the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship from the Skoll Foundation (2005). She was named one of the "Most Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs" by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship in Switzerland (2004). In 2004, Dr. Hale and OneWorld Health were included in the Scientific American 50, the magazine's annual list recognizing outstanding acts of leadership in science and technology.

"Victoria Hale's vision, innovation, and tenacity reflect social entrepreneurship at its best," noted Sally Osberg, President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation. "Under her leadership OneWorld Health has pioneered a powerful new model that is transforming global health."

A worldwide search for a new CEO is currently being launched. Dr. Hale will continue to lead the OneWorld Health senior leadership team until a new CEO is appointed.

The Institute for OneWorld Health, the first US non-profit pharmaceutical company, develops safe, effective and affordable medicines for people with neglected diseases of the developing world. The Institute for OneWorld Health, headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA, is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) US corporation. (http://www.oneworldhealth.org/). Media resources are available at http://www.oneworldhealth.org/media/index.php/.