EANS-News: Epigenomics Appoints Thomas Taapken as New CFO, Effective April 1, 2011
Brings significant U.S. experience and strategic transactions expertise
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Personnel/Molecular diagnostics
Subtitle: Brings significant U.S. experience and strategic transactions expertise
Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, USA, January 11, 2011 (euro adhoc) - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the cancer molecular diagnosis company, today announced Dr. Thomas Taapken as new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) succeeding the company's current CFO Oliver Schacht, PhD, effective April 1st, 2011. As previously announced in December 2010, Oliver Schacht will leave effective March 31st, 2011. Oliver Schacht and Thomas Taapken will work closely together to ensure an ordered and structured transition during Q1 2011.
Taapken will join Epigenomics from Biotie Therapies Corp. (Finland), where he currently holds the position of CFO and is a member of the Executive Management Team. He was appointed to this position in 2008, following a business combination between Biotie Therapies and elbion NV, where Taapken had been CFO since 2005. His extensive international experience in the life sciences industry includes further positions as Investment Partner at DVC Deutsche Venture Capital from 2003 to 2005 and San Francisco-based US venture capital firm Burrill & Company from 1998-2002. He also worked several years at Sanofi-Aventis in the United States and Germany, managing corporate venture capital activities, as well as in the areas of corporate & business development and research. Throughout his career, he has been involved in numerous transactions spanning acquisitions, mergers, divestitures and as well as private and public offerings.
On his appointment as CFO of Epigenomics, Thomas Taapken commented: "I have been impressed with Epigenomics' transition from a biotechnology start-up into one of the most innovative cancer molecular diagnostic companies over the recent years, which is now aiming to become a major commercial player in the molecular diagnostic field. I very much look forward to contributing to its success during the important next phase of Epigenomics' corporate development."
Professor Dr. Rolf Krebs, Chairman of Epigenomics AG's Supervisory Board said: "With Thomas' appointment, we have found the ideal CFO to bring Epigenomics to the next level in realizing the full commercial potential of its groundbreaking cancer diagnostics products. He brings in exactly the right skill set and seasoned experience in the industry that we were looking for. He has an outstanding track record of achievements in his previous positions and the Supervisory Board believes he will be a great team contributor and driving force in the Company's Management Team."
Geert Nygaard, Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics added: "On behalf of the entire Management Team I welcome Thomas as our new CFO. We share the same vision of developing Epigenomics into a commercial success story in the cancer diagnostics market and the addition of Thomas' transactional experience will be instrumental in the continued development of the company. I look forward to working with him."
Epigenomics also intends to strengthen its commercial operation in the US by recruiting an experienced US-based marketing and sales executive to head the U.S.-based operations, currently run by the departing CFO, and to lead the transformation of that organization into a commercial molecular diagnostics enterprise. With such an addition Epigenomics expects to be well-positioned to drive its U.S. commercialization strategy.
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Contact Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum Sen. VP Corporate Development Epigenomics AG Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 368 pr@epigenomics.com www.epigenomics.com
About Epigenomics
Epigenomics AG is a molecular diagnostics company with a focus on the development of novel products for cancer. Using DNA methylation biomarkers, Epigenomics' tests on the market and in development for colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer aim at aiding in an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of these diseases, thereby potentially increasing the patient's chances of survival.
For development and global commercialization of IVD test products, Epigenomics pursues a dual business strategy in which direct commercialization of proprietary diagnostic test products is combined with non-exclusive licensing to diagnostic industry players with broad customer access. Strategic diagnostics industry partners include Abbott Molecular, Sysmex Corporation, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, ARUP Laboratories, Inc., and Warnex Laboratories, Inc. for diagnostics test products and services, and QIAGEN N.V. for sample preparation solutions and research products.
The company is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a wholly owned subsidiary, Epigenomics Inc., in Seattle, WA, USA. For more information, please visit Epigenomics' website at www.epigenomics.com.
Epigenomics legal disclaimer. This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Epigenomics AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Epigenomics AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Epigenomics AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Epigenomics AG
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
achim.plum@epigenomics.com
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0BVT96
WKN: A0BVT9
Index: Prime All Share, Technology All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
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