Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has announced that non-executive director Dr Charmaine Gittleson will transition to succeed Bob Moses.
The company said Mr Moses announced that he intends to retire from the board at the conclusion of its 2021 annual general meeting. He will continue to support the company in a consultant capacity.
"The Board believes that Dr Gittleson’s extensive international experience in global pharmaceutical drug development and registration across multiple therapeutic and rare disease areas, is precisely the leadership and experience required to steward the Company through this next phase of the Company’s growth," said Antisense in a statement.
According to CEO Mark Diamond, “Charmaine’s clinical development, regulatory and commercialization experience along with her internationally recognized leadership abilities are ideal attributes for directing the Company into late-stage clinical development and the path to drug commercialisation.
"At the same time as congratulating Charmaine on her appointment, I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank Bob for his enormous contribution as Chair. Words cannot express the appreciation I have for Bob’s unwavering support of and commitment to the success of the ANP business and always, without exception, with the best interest of shareholders at heart. Simply put, the Company would not be where it is today without him and his efforts and for this, he deserves a deep gratitude of thanks.
I am delighted that Bob will continue to support the business in a Non-Executive Director role and then on a consultant basis, where the Board and me can continue to draw upon what I believe to be his unrivalled business acumen and depth of real-world company experience.”
Mr Moses said, “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Mark and his exceptionally skilled and dedicated team. For me, the experience has been that much better because they are all very nice people. The journey has been long and the setbacks many, but Mark and his team have overcome them all and brought ANP to the threshold of exciting clinical outcomes that I believe will justly reward everyone involved and most particularly, ANP’s loyal shareholders.
"I believe this is the optimal time to transition the chairman role as the Company moves into late-stage clinical trials. Charmaine’s global executive experience, strategic approach and success in drug development make her an excellent candidate for the Chair position and she will be highly complementary to the existing Board.
"I have every confidence that Charmaine and Mark will lead the Company from strength to strength.”
Dr Gittleson added, “I am honoured to be entrusted with the role of ANP Therapeutics Chair and thrilled by the prospect of working with Mark, the team and the Board in this capacity.
"As incoming Chair, I look forward to engaging with the Duchenne’s community, shareholders, and other stakeholders to understand their expectations to ensure the continued delivery of quality, innovation and long-term value for our patients and shareholders.
"In the time I’ve been privileged to work with Bob, I have come to appreciate his deep insights and mentorship and am pleased he will continue to provide guidance as a consultant to the Board following his retirement. On behalf of the Board, I would like to take this opportunity to offer sincere thanks to Bob for his unwavering support and leadership over the past two decades and for the many contributions he has made to Australian Biotech over the course of his career.”
The company said further changes to its board are being contemplated to strengthen resources in preparation for the forthcoming ATL1102 DMD clinical trial, pipeline development and commercialisation initiatives.