LEUVEN, Belgium, Dec. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TiGenix (Euronext Brussels: TIG) announced today that it has appointed Dirk Büscher and José Terencio to the Company's board of directors, in replacement of Nico Vandervelpen (LRM Beheer NV) and Joël Jean-Mairet (Ysios Capital Partners SGEGR SA), who resigned from the board. The appointments follow the recent EUR 12 million investment by Gri-Cel SA in TiGenix. Gri-Cel is a fully-owned subsidiary of Grifols, a world leader in plasma-derived therapeutics.
"We are delighted to welcome Dirk Büscher and José Terencio to our board," said Jean Stéphenne, chairman of the Board of Directors. "As strategic investors their long-term view and commitment to TiGenix's innovative technology platform is of great value as TiGenix advances its cell therapy programs through clinical development. The board would like to express its gratitude to Nico Vandervelpen and Joël Jean-Mairet for their unwavering support through the years."
Dirk Büscher, PhD
Dirk Büscher, PhD, is CEO of Gri-Cel SA. Gri-Cel invests in advanced therapies and innovative therapeutics. Previously he was Vice President R&D of Cellerix. Dr. Büscher obtained his PhD in biology and immunology from the University of Hannover, Germany, and as a postdoc specialized in molecular developmental biology and stem cell research at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California. Dr. Büscher has served as industry expert on mesenchymal stem cells at the European Medicines Agency. He is a member of the board of directors of VCN Biosciences and Araclon Biotech.
José Terencio, PhD
José Terencio, PhD, is COO of Gri-Cel SA. Previously he was Director R&D of Laboratorios Grifols. Before that he was at the R&D center of Grupo Ferrer. With more than 18 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Terencio has particular expertise indrug discovery and the development of small molecule therapeutics. Dr. Terencio obtained his PhD in CNS Pharmacology from the University of Barcelona. He is a member of the board of directors of VCN Biosciences.
The appointments of Dirk Büscher and José Terencio are effective immediately subject to final appointment by the next shareholders' meeting.
For more information:
Eduardo Bravo
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
Claudia D'Augusta
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
Hans Herklots
Director Investor & Media Relations
[email protected]
+32 16 39 60 97
About TiGenix
TiGenix NV (Euronext Brussels: TIG) is a leading European cell therapy company with a marketed product for cartilage repair, ChondroCelect®, and a strong pipeline with clinical stage allogeneic adult stem cell programs for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. TiGenix is based out of Leuven (Belgium) and has operations in Madrid (Spain), and Sittard-Geleen (the Netherlands). For more information please visit www.tigenix.com.