HALIFAX, England, February 20 /PRNewswire/ -- ImmunoVaccine Technologies Inc. (IVT), a vaccine development company, announced today the appointment of former senator, Michael Kirby, as the new Board of Directors Chair. Michael Kirby succeeds the late Dr. Warrick Kimmins, who provided exemplary leadership during his tenure and was instrumental in spinning out IVT's novel technology from Dalhousie University.
"I am passionate about advancing health care and am delighted to be part of such a fast-growing biotech company," said former senator Michael Kirby. "IVT has an impressive track record and its patented technology holds tremendous potential to improve vaccines worldwide."
"Michael Kirby is an internationally respected leader in health care," said Dr. Randal Chase, IVT President and CEO. "His strategic advice will be invaluable, as we enter the next phase of development with the expectation of beginning a new Phase 1 clinical trial in 2009."
The Honourable Michael Kirby has had a distinguished career spanning academia, business, provincial, and federal public service. Most recently, he was appointed, by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to be the first Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. He also serves on several boards including The Bank of Nova Scotia, Extendicare, Ontario Energy Savings Income Trust, MDC Partners, and Indigo Books and Music.
Senator Kirby was past chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. He has been a member of the Trilateral Commission, the Council of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Luxemburg, Austria, and the Club of Rome. He was also a full-time professor in the School of Business Administration and the School of Public Administration at Dalhousie University.
About IVT
ImmunoVaccine Technologies Inc. is a private, clinical-stage, vaccine development company. Through its own biotech research and collaborations with partners, IVT creates vaccines with the potential to help save and improve lives around the world.
The company, using its proprietary VacciMax(R) platform, is able to stimulate an earlier, more powerful, long lasting immune response that could provide a new way to treat cancer and infectious diseases.
In December 2007, IVT signed a binding MOU to acquire Pennsylvania-based Immunotope Inc. The acquisition enables IVT to create an entire pipeline of proprietary therapeutic cancer and infectious-disease specific vaccines. In January 2008, IVT licensed its technology to Pfizer Animal health, marking a pivotal step in achieving its vision of delivering breakthrough vaccines.
For further information: Brian Lowe, Vice President IVT, +1-902-492-1819, bl.ivt@immunovaccine.com; Jennifer Ayotte, Communications, +1-902-209-4704, jayotte@impactcommunications.ca
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