Pevion's Shareholders Elect Jean-Paul Prieels, Former Head Research GSK Vaccines, to its Board
By Pevion Biotech Ag, PRNEWednesday, April 20, 2011
BERNE, Switzerland, April 21, 2011 - Pevion Biotech AG today announced that Jean-Paul Prieels has joined its
Board of Directors. Until January 2011, Dr. Prieels was Senior Vice President
Research and Development at GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals.
Jean-Paul Prieels joined GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals in 1987 as Associate
Director R&D Projects Evaluation. His responsibilities gradually expanded to
lead the global vaccine R&D development activities in Rixensart, Belgium. His
career spans from basic research to process and product development. More
specifically, he was instrumental in developing several now commercially
available vaccines, such as rotavirus, human papilloma virus (HPV),
pneumococcal conjugates and others. Currently, Dr. Prieels is a Board member
of Immune Health and from 2000-2008 was a Board member of Henogen. Since 2007
he is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Singapore
Bioprocessing Technology Institute. He graduated from the Free University of
Brussels, Belgium, and holds a PhD in Biochemistry.
"I am impressed by Pevion's virosome-based technology platform, as well
as, its team and potential. I eagerly look forward to contributing my
expertise in vaccine development," said Jean-Paul Prieels following his
election to the Board of Pevion.
"Due to his extensive scientific expertise and long track record, Dr.
Prieels is an ideal candidate to join Pevion and I am very pleased that he
has accepted a seat on the Board of Directors" said Didier Hoch, Chairman of
the Board.
"I warmly welcome Jean-Paul to our Board of Directors," said Evert
Kueppers, CEO of Pevion. "Dr Prieels has a long, distinguished career in
vaccine development, resulting in products that are now being used throughout
the world. He will give us important input, especially for earlier portfolio
decisions. Jean-Paul Prieels and Didier Hoch, who was recently elected as
Chairman and is a specialist for Pevion's clinical stage Candida vaccine,
will complement one another perfectly."
About Pevion Biotech AG
Pevion Biotech AG is a fully independent Swiss vaccine company that
develops innovative vaccines for unmet medical needs based on its clinically
and commercially validated virosome technology. Its proprietary clinical
pipeline includes a first-in-class candidiasis vaccine. A clinical stage
malaria vaccine candidate has been successfully out-licensed, and the
Company's technology has been licensed for use as an HIV vaccine currently in
human trials. Pevion has in-house development capability and expertise,
including a state-of-the-art and industrially scalable GMP manufacturing
process. Located near Bern, Pevion was established by its founding fathers,
Bachem AG (SWX: BANB) and Berna Biotech (now Crucell, a Johnson & Johnson
subsidiary). To date, Pevion has raised a total of CHF 45 million to date
from its founders and investors, BZ Bank, CCP and BB Biotech Ventures.
About Virosomes
Virosomes are the only regulatory and market-approved vaccine technology
to fulfill carrier and adjuvant functions in one. Essentially, virosomes
represent reconstituted empty influenza virus envelopes, devoid of the
genetic material of the source virus. As such, virosomes do not replicate and
are therefore an ideal combination of carrier plus adjuvant for almost any
given antigen, including peptide or protein derived antigens. The technology
allows the surface display and delivery of difficult antigens and thereby
provides access to new indications and markets. Two virosome-based vaccines
(Epaxal(R) and Inflexal(R) V, marketed by Crucell Switzerland AG) are
licensed in over 40 countries, and more than 70 million doses of these
vaccines have been commercially distributed, thereby providing a solid safety
and efficacy track record.
Contact: Evert Kueppers, CEO Phone: +41-31-550-44-44 info@pevion.com Pevion Biotech AG Worblentalstrasse 32 CH - 3063 Ittigen Switzerland www.pevion.com
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Tags: April 21, Berne, Pevion Biotech Ag, Switzerland