Australian medical technology company LBT Innovations (ASX:LBT) has announced the retirement of long-standing chairman Bob Finder.
Mr Finder’s departure, which will take effect at the end of July, follows a decade leading the company as chairman. According to the company, this leadership which will culminate in the commercial launch of the APAS Independence later this year, a device that automates the imaging and analysis of microbiology culture plates.
"The board acknowledges Bob’s exceptional leadership of LBT Innovations since 2007 and in particular his recent personal support of the share placement and Shareholder Purchase Plan," said the company in a statement. "When Mr Finder leaves the Board at the end of July he will be the third largest shareholder in the company and he remains fully supportive of the current board and management team."
Existing board member Catherine Costello will become chairman and Dr Glenn Haifer will also be joining the board as a non-executive director.
“I am very honoured to be come the chair of LBT Innovations,’’ said Ms Costello.
“The company is poised for an exciting period with the commercial release of the FDA-cleared APAS Independence which will dramatically improve the clinical efficiency of microbiology labs and allow for the faster diagnosis and reporting of infectious diseases.
“Artificial intelligence is the next frontier in medical diagnosis and it is great to be part of a pioneering company that is at the forefront of implementing it," added Ms Costello.
Ms Costello is a lawyer and expert in strategy and corporate governance. She has significant experience as a director and chair of various companies.
Dr Haifer has 30 years of experience in medicine and the healthcare sector.
Dr Haifer is an experienced company director and his current directorships include histopathology business Sun Doctors and remote adventure expedition company Aurora Expeditions. He was also a director of multinational engineering services business BDS Vircon until the recent sale of the business to a subsidiary of a US-listed company.
Dr Haifer also has current roles as a medical consultant to Apotex Pharmaceuticals and is the Australasian medical consultant to P&O-Princess Cruises.