FIT Biotech Oy
Company release April 19, 2016 at 9:00am EET
FIT Biotech appoints James Kuo, MD, MBA as new CEO
The Board of Directors of the Finnish biotechnology company FIT Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ: FITBIO) today announced the appointment of Dr. James Kuo, MD, MBA, as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. He will assume his duties as of 16 May, 2016.
James Kuo is an experienced biotech industry executive and investor, who brings a wealth of business and management experience to the company. During his impressive career, he has held executive positions in private as well as listed biotech companies in the US. His most recent assignments have been as a CEO with Biomicro Systems, Inc. and Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE:SYN). Prior to that, he was CEO of Discovery Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ:DSCO) after having worked as Associate Director in corporate licensing and development at Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE). James Kuo is presently Chairman of the Board at Athena Bioventures in La Jolla, CA.
“We are extremely pleased to have Jim onboard. He brings along a depth of international business and biotech experience that will immensely strengthen FIT Biotech team. The company’s strategy and execution on gene-based treatments will greatly benefit from Jim’s knowledge in that field, as well as from his proven track record as an investor,” said Juha Vapaavuori, FIT Biotech’s Chairman of the Board. “Jim’s business acumen will enhance the company’s ability to deliver high-value therapeutic compounds for the future.”
A physician by training, Jim Kuo got his MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition he holds a BA in Molecular Biology.
“I join FIT Biotech at an exciting time, with the company’s innovative gtGTU vector technology for gene-based treatments is moving towards the phases and with the therapeutic HIV vaccine being part of the extensive European consortium of recognized experts,” commented Jim Kuo. “I look forward to helping the FIT Biotech team advance the innovative lead products that hold strong promise to bring cutting edge therapies for patients in need.”
FIT BIOTECH OY
Board of Directors
More information:
Rabbe Slätis
CEO, FIT Biotech Oy
Telephone: +358 40 840 6749
Email: rabbe.slatis@fitbiotech.com
Certified Advisor: Translink Corporate Finance Oy, telephone +358 20 743 2790
FIT Biotech Oy in brief
FIT Biotech Oy is a biotechnology company established in 1995. The company develops and licenses its patented Gene Transport Unit vector technologies (GTU®; gtGTU®) for new-generation medical treatments. FIT Biotech’s gene transport technologies meet a significant medical challenge in the usability of gene based treatments and therapeutic DNA vaccines.
FIT Biotech applies and develops the vector technologies in its drug development programmes. Examples of application areas include cancer (gene based treatments), infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, and animal vaccines.
FIT Biotech shares are listed on the First North Finland market maintained by Nasdaq OMX Helsinki Oy.
DISTRIBUTION:
Nasdaq Helsinki Oy
Principal media
www.fitbiotech.com
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