For immediate release

1 February 2010

 

Proximagen Neuroscience plc

('Proximagen' or 'the Company')

 

BOARD CHANGES

 

Proximagen recruits senior GSK executive as Non-Executive Director

 

Proximagen Neuroscience plc (AIM: PRX), the biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialisation of novel therapeutics for diseases of the central nervous system, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr A. Jackie Hunter as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 29 January 2010.

 

Dr Hunter has nearly 30 years' drug discovery and development experience. She is currently the Senior Vice President and Head of Science Environment Development at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and until March 2008 she was the Senior Vice President and Head of the Neurology & GI Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery (CEDD) at GSK, during which time the CEDD delivered over 15 clinical proofs of concept studies with a number of transitions into late phase development.

 

Dr Hunter is Chair of the Innovation Board of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, Chair of Research Directors' Group of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, and a member of the BBSRC Council. She is also a visiting Professor of the Institute of Psychology at King's College London and the Royal London Medical School, and an Honorary Research Associate at Royal Holloway College, University of London.

The directorships held by Ann Jacqueline Hunter (aged 53) now and over the five years preceding the date of appointment are as follows:

Current: Glaxo Wellcome Manufacturing Pte Ltd

Previous: None

Dr Hunter has confirmed there are no other matters to be disclosed in relation to Schedule 2(g) of the AIM rules.

 

Proximagen also announces today that Professor Peter Jenner and Dr Bruce Campbell have stepped down from Proximagen's Board with effect from 29 January 2010.  Professor Jenner and Dr Campbell have both served on the Board as Non-Executive Directors since before the Company's Admission to AIM in 2005.  Professor Jenner is approaching normal retirement age but will remain a consultant to the Group and will continue to supervise the activities of his academic research group at King's College, London.  Dr Campbell will remain with the Group as Head of Non-clinical Development.

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From 29 January 2010, the Proximagen Board of Directors is as follows:

 

Non-Executive Directors

Peter Allen, Chairman

Michael Ashton

Dr Jackie Hunter

 

Executive Directors

Kenneth Mulvany

James Hunter

 

 

Peter Allen, Chairman of Proximagen Neuroscience plc, commented:

 

"I am delighted that Jackie has agreed to join the Board.  She has a very impressive track record in senior management at GSK and brings to Proximagen a wealth of experience of successful drug development in neurology.  The Company's ability to attract someone of Jackie's calibre reflects the ambition of the Company and represents an important step in the Company's evolution towards becoming one of the world's leading companies developing therapeutics for patients suffering from diseases of the central nervous system.'

 

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Peter and Bruce for their valuable contributions to the Board over the past six years.  Both directors have provided valuable insight and guidance over that time and we are delighted that both are remaining involved with the Company, Peter as a consultant and Bruce as Head of Non-clinical Development."

 

- Ends -

 

For further information contact:

 

Proximagen Neuroscience plc	Phone: +44 (0)20 7848 6938
Kenneth Mulvany, Chief Executive Officer
James Hunter, Finance Director
Evolution Securities Limited (NOMAD)	Phone: +44 (0)20 7071 4300
Stuart Andrews, Bobbie Hilliam, Tim Redfern
Pelham Bell Pottinger	Phone: +44 (0)20 7861 3800
Charles Cook, Dan de Belder, Zoë Pocock

 

 

About Proximagen Neuroscience plc

 

Proximagen is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialisation of novel therapeutics for diseases of the central nervous system.

 

Proximagen is developing a broad pipeline of drug candidate programmes and has plans for substantial future growth through a strategy of acquisition and consolidation in its preferred therapeutic area of the central nervous system.  In June 2009, the Company raised £50 million, one of the largest fundraisings in the biotechnology sector for the past decade, to effect this strategy

 

Proximagen, a spin-out from King's College London, joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in March 2005. For more information please visit the Company's web site: www.proximagen.com