RNS & Investor News

Proposed Director appointment and Director change

09 December 2020

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and skincare, announces that it intends to appoint Christopher Brinsmead CBE as a Director of the Company, subject to the completion of regulatory due diligence being carried out by the Company's Nomad.

Chris has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 30 years, holding executive leadership roles with ICI, and Zeneca, before becoming Chairman of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals UK, President of AstraZeneca UK and Ireland (2001 - 2010), and President of the Association of the British Pharamaceutical Industry (ABPI) from 2008-2010. Since leaving executive roles, Chris has taken on a number of advisory and Non-Executive Director positions in private and public companies.

Advisory positions include independent advisor to the Prime Minister and other senior government ministers for life sciences (2010-2017) and advisor to Sodexo Healthcare (2010-2017). Chris is currently the Chairman of  two companies - Scapa Plc and Proveca Ltd, and is a member of council at Imperial College.

Other non executive positions include UDG Healthcare plc (2017- 2019) and chairman of Consort Medical plc (2019-2020), a FTSE 350 company which was sold during Chris's leadership to Recipharm for £505m in February 2020.  Chris was Chairman of Collagen Solutions plc from 2019 to 2020, leading its sale to Rosen's Diversified Inc..  Chris was appointed a CBE in January 2015.

Chris will replace Peter Wennstrom as a director of the Company on confirmation of his appointment. Peter will continue in an advisory capacity for the Company following his resignation from the Board.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

Neil Davidson, Chairman of OptiBiotix commented: "Chris's appointment reflects the continued evolution of the Board as the Company moves into the next phase of its development with its next generation products, and explores a potential dual listing on international markets. Chris's pharmaceutical, healthcare, investment experience, and Chairmanship of a FTSE 350 company complements the current Boards wealth of experience.

The Board of OptiBiotix would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter for his advice on brand strategy and helping OptiBiotix position its SlimBiome®, LPLDL® and WellBiome® brands in international markets, and his contribution to the Company's development.

The Company anticipate that there will be further additions and changes to the Board and management teams as it continues to grow sales, expand into international markets and commercialises its next generation products. "

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement.

 

For further information, please contact:

OptiBiotix Health plc

www.optibiotix.com

Neil Davidson, Chairman

Stephen O'Hara, Chief Executive

 

Contact via Walbrook below

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (NOMAD)

Tel: 020 7213 0880

Liam Murray / Jo Turner / Ludovico Lazzaretti

 


finnCap (Broker)

Tel: 020 7220 0500

Geoff Nash / Kate Bannatyne (Corporate Finance)

 


Walbrook PR Ltd

Mob: 07876 741 001

Anna Dunphy


 

About OptiBiotix - www.optibiotix.com 

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), which was formed in March 2012, brings science to the development of compounds which modify the human microbiome - the collective genome of the microbes in the body - in order to prevent and manage human disease and promote wellness.

OptiBiotix has an extensive R&D programme working with leading academics in the development of microbial strains, compounds, and formulations which are used as active ingredients and supplements. More than twenty international food and healthcare supplement companies have signed agreements with OptiBiotix to incorporate their human microbiome modulators into a wide range of food products and drinks.

OptiBiotix is also developing its own range of consumer supplements and health products. The Company's current areas of focus include obesity, cardiovascular health, and diabetes. 

 

Caution regarding forward looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'', ''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''potentially'', "expect", ''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding OptiBiotix's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.