RLM.L Regulatory News (RLM)

Realm Therapeutics plc

("Realm Therapeutics", "Realm" or the "Company")

Realm Therapeutics appoints clinical development expert Ivan Gergel as Non-Executive Director

Current Non-Executive Director, Peter Larkin, to resign from the Board

16 December 2016 - Realm Therapeutics plc (AIM: RLM, formerly PuriCore plc), an emerging specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on leveraging its proprietary immunomodulatory technology, is pleased to announce that Ivan Gergel, M.D. has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director to the Company. Dr Gergel will join the Board of Realm Therapeutics on 1 January 2017.

Dr Gergel is currently Senior Vice President Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer at Nektar Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Francisco. Prior to Nektar Therapeutics, Dr Gergel held various positions in the biopharmaceutical industry. He was Executive Vice President R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at Endo Pharmaceuticals and a Senior Vice President R&D at Forest Laboratories (subsequently acquired by Actavis/Allergan) and has advanced multiple compounds from research through approval. Dr Gergel began his career as a practicing psychiatrist before moving to SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals where he held several roles, including Group Director, CNS in the US.

Dr Gergel received his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a Board member of Corium International since 2014. His prior Committee memberships include PhRMA Foundation, Pennsylvania Bio and USA-India Chamber of Commerce Scientific Advisory Board.

The Company further announces that current Non-Executive Director, Peter Larkin, will step down from the Board on 31 December 2016. Mr Larkin, President and CEO of the National Grocer's Association, joined the Board in early 2013, bringing significant experience in the Supermarket Retail sector. Following the sale of the Supermarket Retail business, Mr Larkin will resign from the Board to allow the addition of a biopharmaceutical sector specialist.

Charles Spicer, Non-Executive Chairman of Realm Therapeutics, said: 

"I am delighted to welcome Ivan to the Board. His impressive background and wealth of experience in biopharmaceutical drug development will be invaluable as we progress our pipeline and plans to initiate two Phase II clinical trials in 2017 following submission of the relevant Investigational New Drug applications to the FDA.

"The Board and I would also like to thank Peter for his many contributions during his tenure on the Board and in particular for his invaluable guidance in the sale of the Company's Supermarket Retail business earlier this quarter. We will miss his presence on the Board and wish him all the best."

Dr Gergel, Incoming Non-Executive Director of Realm Therapeutics, commented:

"I am very excited to be joining the Board of Realm Therapeutics at a formative time for this emerging specialty biopharmaceutical company as it focuses on initiating its first planned clinical programs. I look forward to bringing my experience in both large and development stage companies to support achievement of the Company's goals."

The following information is disclosed pursuant to Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies. Dr Ivan Philip Gergel, aged 56 years, has been a director of the following companies during the five years preceding the date of this announcement: 

(1) Represents family wholly-owned private entities.

There is no further information to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 17 or Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.

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About Realm Therapeutics

Realm Therapeutics is an emerging specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel immunomodulatory therapies to protect and improve the lives of adults and children. The Company has initiated drug development programmes, based on its proprietary hypochlorous acid technology at high concentrations. The Company believes their formulations have novel immunomodulatory activity with potential application for the treatment of diseases in a number of therapeutic areas including Dermatology and Ophthalmology.

Forward looking statements

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections about its industry; its beliefs; and assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective shareholders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Company only as of the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.