STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 20, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Gambro AB (Stockholmsborsen: GAMBaST, GAMBbST), a leading international medical technology and healthcare company, today announced that it has hired Teresa Ayers, to head Navigant Biotechnologies, Inc. This is the new name for Gambro Pathogen Reduction Technology, Inc., a company established last year by Gambro BCT to commercialize its break-through pathogen reduction technology.
Both announcements reflect Navigant Biotechnologies' commitment to lead the global market in the reduction of pathogens in blood. The company's patented technology uses light and riboflavin to alter the nucleic acids of pathogens in donated blood products, rendering them inactive.
As president and CEO of Navigant Biotechnologies, Ayers will be responsible for leading the company through the funding, development, regulation, and commercialization of its pathogen reduction technology. Ayers has more than 20 years experience managing and directing firms in the biotechnology sector and has raised more than USD 200 million in public and private placements.
"We are delighted that Teresa Ayers has joined our organization," said David Perez, Gambro BCT president. "The depth and breadth of her knowledge and experience in working with development stage companies and bringing new products to market as well as her successful track record in capital markets are critical to Navigant Biotechnologies' future."
Most recently, Ayers served as CEO and director of Genomica Corporation, a publicly held developer and marketer of drug discovery software tools based in Boulder, Colorado. Immediately prior, Ayers held a similar position with BioStar, a privately held developer, manufacturer and marketer of point-of-care diagnostic testing technologies, also in Boulder, Colorado. Ayers received a B.B.A. from the University of Georgia, where she graduated magna cum laude. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has held positions with Arthur Andersen, CytRx Corporation and Plasti-Line, Inc. Ayers is currently a member of the board of directors of Fischer Imaging Corporation, a publicly traded women's healthcare company.
"This is an exciting and challenging time for us. I look forward to working with the management and staff of Navigant Biotechnologies and with Gambro BCT, as we chart our course for the future," Ayers said. "We intend to establish our technology as the standard in pathogen reduction."
New name reflects company's philosophy/technology
According to Perez, the name 'Navigant,' a variation of the Latin 'navigo,' which translates to 'I sail,' was chosen after a lengthy review and research process, "because it best represents the philosophy of the company: a company that innovates and charts its course." A new corporate identity package has been developed and currently is being rolled out.
Navigant Biotechnologies' innovative technology is the first that can inactivate pathogens in all three major blood components: platelets, red blood cells and plasma.
The pathogen reduction technology offers several key benefits including:
-- Natural process - considered essential for human health, riboflavin is non-toxic, non-mutagenic and ingested in normal diets; -- Simplicity - no removal of residual compounds is required; and -- Cost effectiveness - because it is an inherently simple process.
Navigant Biotechnologies' research scientists also believe the technology could have significant implications in adjacent fields such as cell therapies and the plasma fractionalization industry.
Facts on Navigant Biotechnologies
Navigant Biotechnologies, Inc., formerly Gambro Pathogen Reduction Technology, Inc., is a subsidiary of Gambro. With a commitment to lead the global market in the reduction of pathogens in blood, Navigant's patented technology uses light and riboflavin to alter the nucleic acids of pathogens, rendering them inactive.
For further information on Navigant Biotechnologies, please contact: Jon Weston, Director, Global Marketing, Navigant Biotechnologies, tel. +1 303 232 6800 Bengt Modeer, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +46- 8-613 65 33, +46-70-513 65 33 Bob Wolper, The Wolper Group, tel. +1 303 707 1021 Pia Irell, Investor Relations Director, Corporate Finance, tel. +46-8- 613 65 91, +46-70-513 65 91
Link to photograph of Teresa Ayers: www.gambro.com/Teresa_Ayers/
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