OKYO.L Regulatory News (OKYO)

10 June 2020

OKYO PHARMA LIMITED

DIRECTORATE CHANGE

OKYO Pharma Limited ("OKYO" or the "Company") today announces that John Brancaccio has been appointed as a non-executive director of the company with immediate effect. Gregor MacRae is simultaneously standing down as a director of the Company with immediate effect.

Mr Brancaccio (aged 72) is a retired certified accountant. Mr Brancaccio graduated from Selton Hall University in New Jersey with a BA in Accountancy prior to joining Touche Ross & Co in 1970. Having attained the position of audit supervisor, Mr Brancaccio went into industry in 1974.

Most recently, prior to his retirement in 2017, Mr Brancaccio was the Chief Financial Officer of Accelerated Technologies, Inc. overseeing a portfolio of companies in the medical device area and managing the private financing rounds for each company. This portfolio was in excess of $100 million in invested funds.

Mr Brancaccio has extensive public company non-executive experience and is currently a member of the boards of directors of Rasna Therapeutics, Inc., Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Cardiff Oncology, Inc.

John will chair the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board (which also comprises Willy Simon) and will sit as a member of the Remuneration Committee (which also comprises Willy Simon as chairman).

Willy Simon, Chairman of OKYO, said "We are delighted that John has joined the Board of OKYO. His expertise will be of great value to us. He is a great addition to the Board at a very important time for the group. I thank Gregor for his contribution to the Board and the Company and wish him well in his other interests". 

Pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13, in connection with Mr Brancaccio's appointment, Mr Brancaccio was a director of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. until May 2019. In December 2018 Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (then listed on NASDAQ), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the USA. The company currently remains in the administration process. There are no other disclosures to make pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13, in respect of Mr Brancaccio's appointment.

About OKYO

OKYO Pharma Limited (LSE: OKYO) is a life sciences and biotechnology company admitted to listing on the standard segment of the Official List of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the Main Market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange plc. OKYO is focusing on the discovery and development of novel molecules to treat inflammatory dry eye diseases and chronic pain.

Enquiries:

For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.okyopharma.com.