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Frank Morich joins Innate Pharma's board of directors
The former Chairman of the
Board of Bayer Healthcare AG brings a wealth of experience to the innate
immunity biopharmaceutical company
Marseille, March 29, 2004 -- Innate Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company specialized in innate immunity via the manipulation of non-conventional lymphocyte cells such as NK cells, announced today the election of Frank Morich to the Board of Directors. His background in immunology and oncology and his years on the board of Bayer AG and Bayer Healthcare bring a wealth of experience in industrial, business and financial research and development to the French company, as well as a first class network of international scientific, industrial and financial connections. Frank Morich's arrival denotes a new phase in Innate Pharma's development that warrants the interest of key industry leaders. He will play a determining role along with the other board members at a time when Innate accelerates the clinical development of its products and signs its first agreements with the pharmaceutical industry.
Frank Morich scrutinised Innate
Pharma's technology with a particular focus on research and development before
accepting the offer to join the board. His scientific background is
particularly well suited to the fields of research Innate Pharma is
investigating (immunology and oncology) and he is convinced that there is very
real potential to the molecules and therapies at the heart of Innate Pharma's
R&D. The management expertise and the calibre of the investors also had a
hand in favourably influencing his decision.
"I started my scientific career in Immunology in the late 70's," said Frank Morich, "and it is very exciting for me to help turn some of the most recent scientific breakthroughs in this field into novel therapeutics. My experience in Big Pharma has convinced me of the great rewards that lie in the smaller more entrepreneurial world. The creativity and flexibility that can be found there are conducive to accelerated research and development. Innate Pharma approached me at a time in my career when I was looking to get far more involved in this sector. I am impressed by the ideas and talented team at Innate: they have everything it takes to be successful." "We are delighted to count Frank Morich amongst us," said Hervé Brailly, "His scientific and industrial experience is a perfect match for the core issues Innate Pharma faces today. We must drive the development of novel anti-tumoral molecules to a meaningful therapeutic and industrial level and we are convinced that Frank is the man for the situation. We are very grateful he could join us." Frank Morich, 50, studied at the University of Marburg in Germany, where he specialized in immunology and oncology. He joined Bayer AG in 1982 after three years of post-doctoral research in experimental immunology and cellular biology. Frank Morich built his career with Bayer where he held an important role in R&D and then moved into management. He became member of the boards for Bayer AG and Bayer Corp., then Chairman of the Board for Bayer Healthcare AG. He is currently CEO of AM Pharma, a Dutch biotechnology company specialized in the discovery, development and sale of novel therapies derived from the human immune system and applicable to infectious and inflammatory pathology.
He joins the board of Innate
Pharma, alongside Hervé Brailly (CEO of Innate Pharma SAS), Frank Bulens
(Director of GIMV), Jean Deleage (Associate director Alta Partners), Philippe
Desmarescaux (Chairman of the board ENS Lyon - and Founding Chairman of the
Biovision forum), Denis Lucquin (Associate Director of Sofinnova) and Philippe
Pouletty (Director general of Truffle Ventures and Chairman of France
Biotech).
About Innate Pharma:
Innate Pharma S.A.S., is a French
biopharmaceutical company in clinical development stage specialized in cancer
immuno-therapeutics. It is the first company to develop immuno-modulating
medications and cellular therapies targeting non-conventional lymphocytes. The
company has currently two products in Phase I of clinical development in
cancer. The company was founded in 1999, and raised ¤25m in private funding
since inception in two rounds of financing. Companies investing in Innate are
Sofinnova Partners, Auriga, GIMV, INSERM Transfert, Alta Partners, Axa Private
Equity, Gilde Biotech and Nutrition, Pechel Industries and Innoveris. For
further company information, visit www.innate-pharma.com.
--
Art Jannicelli
Andrew Lloyd & Associates Brighton Business Centre 95 Ditchling Road Brighton BN1 4ST United Kingdom Tel: +44-1273 675100 Fax: +44-1273 675400 email: Art@ala.com 55 rue Boissonade 75014 Paris France Tel: +33-1 56 54 07 00 Fax: +33-1 56 54 07 01 email: ala-france@ala.com (For ALA Paris office only) http://www.ala.com INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY MARKETS
STRATEGY & COMMUNICATIONS
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