Full Press Release Details
Anavex further strengthens Board of
Tuesday June 3, 10:58 am ET
ATHENS, GREECE, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Anavex Life
Sciences Corp. ("ANAVEX") (OTCBB: AVXL - News) today announced the appointment
of David L. Tousley, CPA, MBA, to its Board of Directors. Mr. Tousley is an
accomplished professional with many years of experience as a senior financial
and operations executive in start-up and established pharmaceutical companies.
He is currently serving as a financial consultant specializing in strategic
planning and management, corporate governance and business development.
"ANAVEX is pleased that David has agreed to join our board,
bringing with him a wealth of industry and financial knowledge from his
background as Chief Financial Officer for numerous pharmaceutical firms," said
Harvey Lalach, President of ANAVEX. "His expertise in the realm of business and
finance structures in biotech and specialty pharma companies augments the skills
of our already accomplished Board. We believe that David will add tremendous
value as we continue to advance the company, generate new drug candidates with
our SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery Platform and rapidly advance towards Phase 1
clinical trials with our lead drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy
and colorectal cancer."
Mr. Tousley has over 25 years of senior-level experience in
biotech, specialty pharmaceuticals and full-phase pharmaceutical companies. He
has held the position of President, COO and CFO at companies including
airPharma, PediaMed Pharmaceuticals, AVAX Technologies, and Pasteur, Merieux,
Connaught, (known today as Sanofi-Pasteur). During his career, Mr. Tousley has
led all aspects of operations, including pharmaceutical development, in both the
private and public company environment. His accomplishments include the raising
over $90 million in debt and equity financings and he has led key business
development activities, including joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions and
divestitures in the U.S., Europe and Australia. Mr. Tousley currently serves as
a director of ImmunoGenetix Therapeutics, a biotech company that is developing
advanced DNA immunotherapies for HIV infection. He holds an MBA in accounting
from Rutgers Graduate School of Business and a B.A. in English from Rutgers
College, both in New Jersey. Mr. Tousley belongs to the New Jersey Society of
Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public
About Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (www.anavex.com) is an emerging
biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel drug
targets for the treatment of cancer and neurological diseases. The company's
proprietary SIGMACEPTOR(TM) Discovery Platform involves the rational drug design
of compounds that fulfill specific criteria based on unmet market needs and new
scientific advances. Selected drug candidates demonstrate high, non-exclusive
affinity for sigma receptors, which are involved in the modulation of multiple
cellular biochemical signaling pathways.
ANAVEX's SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-N program involves the development of
novel and original drug candidates, targeting neurological and neurodegenerative
diseases (including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression). The company's
lead drug candidates exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors and synergy with
other receptors and ion channels with strong evidence for anti-amnesic,
neuroprotective, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory,
anti-convulsive, anti-depressant and anxiolytic properties.
ANAVEX SIGMACEPTOR(TM)-C program involves the development of
novel and original drug candidates targeting cancer. The company's lead drug
candidates exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors and synergy with ion
channels with strong evidence for selective pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and
low toxicity properties in various types of solid cancers such as colon,
prostate, breast and melanoma.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly
historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only
predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number
of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from
those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the
risks and uncertainties inherent in drug discovery and development, which
include, without limitation, the potential failure of development candidates to
advance through preclinical studies or demonstrate safety and efficacy in
clinical testing and the ability to file an IND or commence clinical studies.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. undertakes no obligation to
revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the
CONTACT: Anavex Life Sciences Corp., Research & Business
Development, Email: info@anavex.com; Shareholder & Media Relations,
Toll-free: 1-866-505-2895, Outside North America: (416) 489-0092, Email:
Source: Anavex Life Sciences Corp.