22 Apr 2013 07:00
Omega Diagnostics Group PLC
("Omega" or the "Company")
Directorate Change
Appointment of William E. Rhodes as a Non-Executive Director
Omega (AIM: ODX), the medical diagnostics company focused on allergy, food intolerance and infectious disease, announces the appointment of Bill Rhodes as a non-executive director of the Company with effect from 1 May 2013.
During his fourteen year career with Becton, Dickinson and Co. ("BD") (NYSE: BDX), one of the world's leading suppliers of medical, diagnostic and life science research products, Bill held a number of senior leadership positions, and until the end of 2012, was BD's Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development, being responsible for BD's worldwide mergers and acquisitions and corporate strategies.
Previously, he was Worldwide President of BD Biosciences, a business segment with turnover of over US$1.0 billion that was comprised of Cell Analysis, Discovery Labware, and Advanced Bioprocessing, including the provision of flow cytometryinstruments and their associated reagents for CD4 testing used in a wide range of laboratory settings. Bill was also responsible for creating BD Ventures L.L.C., the venture capital arm of BD. Prior to working for BD, Bill held senior business development positions with Pfizer Inc. and Johnson and Johnson. He recently joined Linden Capital Partners, a leading US-based healthcare private equity firm, as Operating Partner responsible for life sciences and diagnostics.
Commenting on Bill's appointment, David Evans, Chairman of Omega said: "We are delighted to have attracted someone of Bill's calibre to the Omega team. His all-round experience in corporate business development, life sciences and in vitro diagnostics business leadership and his expansive knowledge of emerging and developing world markets where HIV-monitoring and CD4 testing are major areas of clinical need will be invaluable to us."
Bill Rhodes said: "I am pleased to have been asked to join the Board of Omega. With opportunities to expand their current portfolio of products globally, and the on-going development of their novel test platform for point of care CD4 testing, now is a very exciting time for the Company, and I look forward to working with the Omega team."
Contacts:
Omega Diagnostics Group PLC Tel: 01259 763 030
Andrew Shepherd, Chief Executive www.omegadiagnostics.com
Kieron Harbinson, Group Finance Director
Jag Grewal, Group Sales and Marketing Director
finnCap Ltd Tel: 020 7220 0500
Geoff Nash/Christopher Raggett (Corporate Finance)
Stephen Norcross/Mia Gardner (Corporate Broking)
Walbrook PR Limited Tel: 020 7933 8780
Paul McManus Mob: 07980 541 893; paul.mcmanus@walbrookpr.com
Lianne Cawthorne Mob: 07584 391 303; lianne.cawthorne@walbrookpr.com
Additional Information
William Edward Rhodes, aged 59, currently has no shares in the Company and other than as set out below there is no further information to be disclosed under schedule 2(g) and Rule 17 of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of Bill Rhodes' appointment as a Director of the Company.
Current directorships/partnerships Directorships/partnerships in last 5 years
Andor Technology plc
Third Day Advisors LLC
Bill Rhodes was also a director of VitaGen, Inc. from 1999 to 2003. In 2003 (following a decision by its shareholders not to continue to fund the company), VitaGen, Inc. filed for protection from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code and subsequently for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of that Code. On 1 October 2003, the assets and business of VitaGen, Inc. were acquired by Vital Therapies, Inc.
Bill is entitled to be granted an option over 2,130,406 4p ordinary shares of the Company at the prevailing market price at the earliest opportunity in accordance with Rule 21 of the AIM Rules for Companies.
It is anticipated that Bill will be appointed to the Audit and Remuneration Committees of the Company.