GERMANTOWN, MD--(Marketwired - Apr 16, 2015) - Orgenesis Inc . (
Chris Buyse was appointed a director on March 2, 2015, concurrent with the Orgenesis acquisition of MaSTherCell. Mr. Prior to that, from 2006 to 2014, Mr. Buyse was Chief Financial Officer and Director of ThromboGenics NV, a biotechnology company listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels. Before joining ThromboGenics, he was Chief Financial Officer of CropDesign, where he coordinated its acquisition by BASF in July 2006. Prior to joining CropDesign, Mr. Buyse served as finance manager at WorldCom/MCI Belux, and Chief Financial Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer of Keyware Technologies. In addition, Mr. Buyse has held various positions in finance at Spector Photo Group, Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux and Unilever. Mr. Buyse holds a Master's degree in Applied Economics from the University of Antwerp and an MBA from the Vlerinck School of Management in Ghent.
Chris Buyse is also currently a director in several private and public companies, such as Bone Therapeutics SA, Cardio 3 Biosciences SA, Iteos, SA and Bioxodes SA.
About Orgenesis Inc. Orgenesis is a pre-clinical cell therapy and regenerative medicine company that is committed to developing a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. In pursuit of this goal, the company has developed and patented a novel technology called "cellular trans-differentiation" that turns an insulin-dependent patient's own liver cells into functional insulin producing cells. Orgenesis has proven that, when exposed ex-vivo to certain pancreatic transcription factors and in specific sequence, human adult liver cells can be transformed into fully functional, beta cell-like insulin producing cells (IPCs). After ex-vivo expansion, the IPCs are re-infused via the portal vein of the diabetic patient. In pre-clinical models of Type 1 Diabetes (Non-Obese Diabetic mice), the re-introduced IPCs remain in the liver, effectively respond to glucose challenge and successfully maintain glycemic homeostasis. In the same NOD model, the implanted IPCs were not subject to auto-immune attack or cellular ablation. Orgenesis plans to initiate P1/2 trials in the next 12-18 months. Orgenesis believes that converting the diabetic patient's own tissue into insulin-producing cells has the potential to overcome the significant issues of donor shortage, cost and exposure to chronic immunosuppressive therapy associated with islet cell transplantation. For more information, visit www.orgenesis.com .
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not purely historical. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the expectations of management that our regeneration technology can be developed as therapeutic treatment for diabetes which could, if successful, be a cure for Type 1 Diabetes; and that we will initiate Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in the near-term. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits Orgenesis will obtain from them. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, among others, the potential failure of development candidates to advance through preclinical studies or demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical testing; the ability to pass clinical trials so as to move on to the next phase; our ability to retain key employees; our ability to finance development and operations; our ability to satisfy the rigorous regulatory requirements for new medical procedures; and competitors may develop better or cheaper alternatives to our products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Investors should refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Company Contact: Scott P. Carmer Orgenesis 301-204-1983 scott.c@orgenesis.com Media Contact: Tim Rush Springboard5 (801) 208-1100 tim.rush@springboard5.com
