Alliance Pharma Regulatory News (APH)

3 Mar 2009 13:46



ALLIANCE PHARMA PLC

("Alliance Pharma" or "the Company")

MVM partner appointed to Alliance Pharma Board

Alliance Pharma plc (AIM: APH), the speciality pharmaceutical company, is pleased to announce that Thomas Theodore Casdagli, a partner of MVM Life Science Partners LLP ("MVM"), has today been appointed to the Board of the Company. On 27 February 2009 MVM acquired a 9.3% shareholding in Alliance Pharma. The relationship with MVM going forward will include the potential for MVM to lead equity fundraisings for any future product acquisitions undertaken by Alliance Pharma.

Mr Casdagli, age 32, has been an active investor in life sciences since joining MVM in 2002. Before joining MVM, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.  Mr Casdagli graduated in Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry from Oxford  University in 1998.

The Company is required to disclose under the AIM Rules for Companies the following information in relation to the appointment of Mr Casdagli as a director of the Company.

Mr Casdagli is a partner of MVM Life Science Partners LLP which holds 15,000,000 ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company, equivalent to 9.26 per cent of the Company's issued share capital.

Other than as disclosed above, there is no further information in connection with the appointment of Mr Casdagli to the Alliance Pharma Board which is required to be disclosed in accordance with Rule 17 and Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

John Dawson, Alliance Pharma's Chief Executive, said: "I am delighted to welcome Thomas to the Board of Alliance Pharma and in particular look forward to working with him and with MVM on potential acquisitions. With his wide-ranging experience in life sciences and his strong business knowledge, Thomas brings an excellent mix of skills to the Board."

For further information: 

About Alliance Pharma

Alliance Pharma, founded in 1998, is an AIM listed speciality pharmaceutical company based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK. The company has a strong track record of acquiring the rights to established niche brands and owns, or licences, the rights to 35 branded pharmaceutical products and continues to explore opportunities to expand the range.

Alliance Pharma's products are prescribed in the treatment of a wide range of conditions and include brands used in the treatment of dermatological conditions, in childbirth, in the prevention of heart disease, in Parkinson's disease, in nutrition and in nasal infections. Alliance Pharma's sales are mainly prescription driven. Its products are distributed to hospitals directly and to pharmaceutical wholesalers which service both hospital and retail pharmacies with their prescription requirements.

Alliance Pharma joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2003 and trades under the symbol APH.

About MVM Life Science Partners LLP 

MVM Life Science Partners LLP, founded in 1997, is one of the UK's leading Venture Capital firms and manages three funds totalling over US$500 million. MVM invests across the Life Sciences market including biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, drug delivery, gene therapy, medical devices, OTC medicines, research tools and vaccines. MVM invests predominantly in start up and early stage companies based across Europe and in the US. The MVM team has broad experience across the Life Science and Venture Capital markets and maintains offices in London and Boston. For more information: www.mvmlifescience.com