YGEN.L Regulatory News (YGEN)

Yourgene Health plc

("Yourgene", the "Group" or the "Company")

Directorate Change

Manchester, UK - 25 January 2023: Yourgene (AIM: YGEN), a leading international molecular diagnostic group, announces that further to the announcement made on the 21 December 2022 regarding the evolution of the Board, Andrew ("Andy") Leeser has been appointed as a Non-executive Director ("NED") with immediate effect.

Andy is one of the UK's most experienced mid-market corporate transformation specialists. He has been involved with a range of transformation projects and transactions, including refinancings and equity/ asset sales across the Automotive, Oil and Gas, Brewing, Retail and Telecommunications sectors. Recent examples of businesses he has supported include Sepura plc, Sterling Resources (SRUK) and OEG Offshore (Northstar Holding Ltd). He was also part of the team which, in cooperation with HMG, closed the English deep mine coal industry in a controlled manner. Andy is the current Chairman of the Institute for Turnaround (the "IFT").

Dr John Brown CBE, Non-executive Chairman, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Andy to the Yourgene Board. I'm sure his breadth of experience will bring new perspectives and make a significant contribution to the future success of the Company."

Further disclosures on Andy Leeser as required under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) (i)-(viii) of the AIM Rules for Companies are included in the appendix below.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation.

The Directors of the Company take responsibility for this announcement.

About Yourgene Health

Yourgene Health is an international molecular diagnostics group which develops integrated genomic technologies and services enabling precision medicine. The group works in partnership with global leaders in DNA technology to advance diagnostic science. 

Yourgene primarily develops, manufactures, and commercialises simple and accurate molecular diagnostic solutions, for reproductive health, precision medicine and now infectious diseases. The Group's flagship products include non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) for Down's Syndrome and other genetic disorders, Cystic Fibrosis screening tests, invasive rapid aneuploidy tests, and a recent extension into the oncology space with DPYD genotyping.

The launch of Yourgene Genomic Services has enabled Yourgene to offer a global laboratory service network equipped to be a full life-cycle partner for clinical, research and pharmaceutical organisations to support partners at the preclinical, clinical, and post-market stages to develop, manufacture, obtain regulatory approval and commercialise new products and services. In addition, Yourgene Genomic Services offers an NIPT and high throughput COVID testing service.

In August 2020, Yourgene acquired Coastal Genomics, Inc., a sample preparation technology company based in Vancouver, Canada, enabling the Company to extend its offering and IP portfolio in the DNA sample preparation sector. The acquisition increased Yourgene's geographical penetration into the US and Canada, supplementing existing coverage in the UK, Europe, MEA and Asia.

Yourgene Health is headquartered in Manchester, UK with offices in Taipei, Singapore, the US and Canada, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under the ticker "YGEN". For more information visit www.yourgene-health.com and follow us on twitter @Yourgene_Health.

Appendix

Disclosures in accordance with the AIM Rules

Pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies, the following information is disclosed in respect of Andrew John Leeser (aged 64):

1Palmer & Harvey (Holdings) PLC entered into administration on 29 November 2017. Andy was appointed as a director of the company on 13 April 2017 and the administration process is ongoing.

2Palmer & Harvey McLane Limited entered into administration on 28 November 2017. Andy was appointed as a director of the company on 13 April 2017 and the administration process is ongoing.

3Extentia Group Limited entered into administration on 28 February 2020. Andy resigned as a director 13 January 2020 and the administration process is ongoing.

4Andy was previously a director of UK Coal Mining Holdings Limited ("UKCMHL") and its wholly owned subsidiary 5UK Coal Production Limited ("UKCPL") from 25 September 2014 to 24 April 2020 (to 27 December 2019 for UKCPL). The group conducted a managed closure plan and UKCPL was placed into liquidation via a creditor's voluntary liquidation on 17 May 2016 and then UKCMHL was placed into liquidation via a creditor's voluntary liquidation on 19 August 2016. Approximately £61m was outstanding to secured creditors as a result of this managed closure plan. UKCPL was dissolved on 27 December 2019 and UKCMHL was dissolved on 24 April 2020 with no material unsecured creditors affected.

Andy was previously and temporarily a director of Privet H Limited from 11 February 2011 to 25 February 2011 after which he had no involvement with the company. The company was placed into liquidation via a creditor's voluntary liquidation on 5 December 2011. Approximately £19m was outstanding to creditors when the company was dissolved on 16 August 2013.

Andy Leeser, does not hold any shares or options over ordinary shares in the Company.

There are no further disclosures required in accordance with AIM Rule 17 and Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.