Ian Garland, 41, is appointed as Chief Executive Officer with
effect from 1 June 2007. He replaces Gordon Cameron who has served
as CEO since 2004. Mr Cameron will remain in his current position
to ensure a smooth transition until Ian Garland's arrival. In
addition, David Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer will leave the
employment of the Company with immediate effect. He will be
replaced by Elizabeth Brown as acting CFO.
? Since 2004, Ian Garland has been CFO of Arrow Therapeutics Ltd
(“Arrow"), a company engaged in the discovery and development
of novel anti-viral products. He recently oversaw its acquisition
by AstraZeneca plc for $150 million, which was completed on 28
February 2007. Previously, in June 2005, Arrow concluded a major
R&D collaboration with Novartis.
From 1999 to 2003, Ian was President and Chief Operating Officer
of Celltech Pharmaceuticals Inc., which had a turnover of around
$300 million and approximately 1,000 employees, encompassing the US
operations of Celltech Group plc. He was responsible for all US
activities, including marketing, manufacturing and supply chain
management, and US-based development and support functions. During
this time, he achieved significant US sales and earnings growth,
the approval of two US New Drug Applications, and the divestment of
several non-core businesses.
For much of this period he reported directly to Peter Fellner,
then CEO of Celltech, and now Chairman of Acambis.
Between 1995 and 1999 Ian had finance roles at Medeva plc, which
was subsequently acquired by Celltech, and at Pepsi Cola, Inc.
based in the US. From 1988 to 1995 he worked at KPMG, specialising
in the pharmaceutical sector, following qualification as a
Chartered Accountant.
? Elizabeth Brown, 35, currently Vice President of Financial
Management and Company Secretary, is appointed as acting CFO,
reporting to the CEO, with immediate effect. She has served with
Acambis for more than ten years and held her current role for the
last two years. She has been responsible for all financial
management and control within the Company and for long-term
financial planning. She qualified as a Certified Accountant in
1997.
Gordon Cameron joined Acambis in 1996, serving initially as CFO,
and as CEO for the last three years. He has overseen substantial
advances in the Company's business and operations, including the
successful implementation of major US government biodefence
contracts, underpinning the development of Acambis.
David Lawrence joined Acambis as CFO from Chiron Vaccines in
August 2004. The Board thanks both Gordon Cameron and David
Lawrence for their important contributions during the past few
years, and wishes them every success in their future careers.
Peter Fellner, Chairman, commented:
“The Board and I are very pleased to welcome someone of
Ian Garland's calibre, experience and strategic abilities as our
CEO at Acambis. Ian and I worked closely together at Celltech for
several years and his extensive US experience will be very valuable
given that the majority of the Acambis' operations are based
there.
“Ian's forthcoming appointment, together with the recent
appointment of Dr Michael Watson from sanofi pasteur MSD as the new
Executive Vice President, Research & Development, and that of
Elizabeth Brown as acting CFO, create a new top management team at
Acambis as we embark upon the next growth phase of the
Company."
In parallel the Company is undertaking a substantial
reorganisation in order to focus its resources on its key
programmes and operational capabilities, and to reduce its cost
base. This is summarised in the accompanying announcement.
Acambis confirms that no information is disclosable in relation
to the appointment of Mr Garland pursuant to the requirements of
Listing Rule 9.6.13 paragraphs (1) to (6).
-ends-
Enquiries:
Acambis plc
Dr Peter Fellner, Chairman
Tel: +44 (0)118 989 9312
Lyndsay Wright, VP, Communications and IR
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 275 300
Brunswick
Jon Coles / Justine McIlroy / Margherita Lupi
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7404 5959
About Acambis
Acambis is a leading biotechnology company targeting infectious
diseases with novel vaccines. Acambis' development-stage pipeline
includes vaccines that could either offer improvements over
existing products or target unmet medical needs. As well as
ChimeriVax-JE, Acambis' proprietary ChimeriVax technology,
developed in association with St Louis University, has also been
used to develop ChimeriVax-West Nile, which is undergoing Phase 2
clinical testing, making it the most advanced investigational
vaccine against the West Nile virus. Acambis also has the only
vaccine in development against Clostridium difficile bacteria, a
leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. Recognised
internationally as the leading producer of smallpox vaccines,
Acambis is developing an investigational smallpox vaccine,
ACAM2000, and is manufacturing emergency-use stockpiles of this
investigational vaccine for the US Government and other governments
around the world.
Acambis is based in Cambridge, UK and Cambridge, Massachusetts,
US, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ACM).
“Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
The statements in this news release that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including the timing and results of clinical trials,
product development, manufacturing and commercialisation risks, the
risks of satisfying the regulatory approval process in a timely
manner, the need for and the availability of additional capital.
For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties see
“Risk management" in the Company's 2005 Annual Report and
“Risk factors" in its Form 20-F, in addition to those
detailed on the Company's website and in the Company's filings made
with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and
assumptions made by the management of Acambis and are believed to
be reasonable, though are inherently uncertain and difficult to
predict. Actual results or experience could differ materially from
the forward-looking statements.
