Advaxis, a leader in developing the next generation of immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases, today announced the appointment of Daniel J. O’Connor, formerly Executive Vice President, to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. O’Connor has also joined the Board of Directors. Dr. James Patton, currently the Chairman of the Audit Committee, has been elected Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. The former Chairman and CEO, Thomas A. Moore, will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and as a consultant to the company.
Mr. O’Connor has fifteen years of executive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with ImClone Systems, formerly (NASDAQ: IMCL), PharmaNet (now inVentiv Health Clinical), and Bracco Diagnostics. As ImClone’s Senior Vice President, he played a key role in resolving numerous issues facing ImClone and closed several important deals leading to its sale to Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) in 2008.
Dr. Patton is a founding member of the Advaxis Board of Directors, an internist, and the Vice President of Millennium Oncology Management, Inc., which provides management services in oncology. Dr. Patton is also an Independent Trustee for the DundeeWealth U.S. mutual fund family and a founder and chairman of VAL Health, LLC, a healthcare consulting company.
“We sincerely thank Tom Moore for his tireless efforts leading Advaxis for the last 6+ years,” stated Dr. Patton. “Importantly, the ADXS-HPV proprietary technology platform has achieved proof of concept and Tom has assembled an experienced management team to continue to advance the clinical pipeline. Over the past six months, the Advaxis team has accelerated its licensing negotiations, achieved several clinical milestones including the recent designation of orphan drug status for ADXS-HPV in anal cancer, and has worked to improve its balance sheet; all of which have been fundamental advancements of the Company’s business. However, we know there still is a lot to accomplish to take Advaxis to the next platform and we remain focused on the goal of unlocking significant stockholder value.”
“The Company is now entering a transformational phase, and Dan’s appointment as CEO is the outcome of Tom and the Board’s succession planning initiatives over the past year in preparation for this important time. Dan has brought tremendous energy to Advaxis since joining in January, and we believe his industry experience and professional track record are perfectly aligned with the Company’s strategic priorities,” concluded Dr. Patton.
Mr. O’Connor stated, “I am very pleased to be appointed to lead Advaxis at this pivotal point in its drug development and commercialization efforts, and I am prepared for this challenge. The Company’s innovative science and IP hold great promise for addressing many important areas of unmet medical needs. We have an excellent team in place, and together we will be focused on continuing to fundamentally transform the Company on multiple fronts, including the preparation for our registration studies with ADXS-HPV and continuing to strengthen our balance sheet. I would like to thank the Board of Directors and Tom for their vote of confidence in me, the Advaxis team for their commitment to the success of the Company, and our stockholders for their continued support over the past several months and in the years ahead.”
Thomas A. Moore added, “I am grateful for having had the opportunity to lead Advaxis and wholeheartedly believe this is the right time for Dan to transition to CEO of the Company. I will work in every way to support Dan, the Board, and the team in their expected coming accomplishments and am pleased to work with the Company as a consultant during this time. I will continue to be a significant stockholder and Director of Advaxis, and will support the Company as needed in the future.”
For more information, visit www.advaxis.com
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