Ocata Therapeutics Appoints John Heffernan, Vice President of Manufacturing
February 03 2015 - 04:10PM
Business Wire
Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. (“Ocata”; OTCBB: OCAT), a leader in the
field of regenerative ophthalmology, today announced the
appointment of John Heffernan, a pharmaceutical industry veteran,
to the newly created position of Vice President of Manufacturing.
Mr. Heffernan has a breadth of experience in all facets of
manufacturing in the cell therapy space.
“We are very pleased to attract someone of John’s caliber to our
company at this time in our growth as we progress our novel
programs to treat Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy (SMD) and Dry
Age-related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD). His wide ranging
experience with leading and innovative biotechnology companies,
will prove to be highly valuable to us as we prepare to initiate
Phase 2 clinical trials for our lead programs in dry AMD and SMD,”
said Paul K. Wotton, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Ocata.
Prior to joining Ocata, Mr. Heffernan was with Genzyme for 18
years in the Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine business unit.
His most recent position was Vice President of Global Operations
with facilities in Europe, Australia and US. In his 35 year career
Mr. Heffernan has also held manufacturing positions with Gene-Trak,
Behring Diagnostics, Boston Scientific and Baxter. Mr. Heffernan
earned a master’s degree in business administration with a focus in
Operations from Suffolk University and a bachelor’s degree in
Biology from Stonehill College.
“I am thrilled to join Ocata at this time, a company that is a
leader in the development and manufacture of cell therapy based
therapeutics and I look forward to working with the team to advance
manufacturing operations in support of our late stage clinical
development programs and ultimately their potential
commercialization,” commented Mr. Heffernan.
About Ocata Therapeutics, Inc.
Ocata Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology
company focused on the development and commercialization of
regenerative ophthalmology therapeutics. Ocata’s most advanced
products are in clinical trials for the treatment of Stargardt’s
macular degeneration, dry age-related macular degeneration, and
myopic macular degeneration. Ocata’s intellectual property
portfolio includes pluripotent stem cell platforms – hESC and
induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) – and other cell therapy
research programs. For more information, visit www.ocata.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than historical facts, contained in this
news release, including statements regarding the relevance and
applicability of clinical trials, potential new applications of and
expanded indications covering Ocata’s technology, the effect of
Ocata’s products on the medical needs and quality of life of study
subjects or other patients, Ocata’s potential product pipeline and
development efforts, and any other statements about Ocata’s future
expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, results or prospects expressed
by management constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Any statements that are not statements of historical fact
(including statements containing the words “will,” “believes,”
“plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” and similar
expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking
statements. There are a number of important factors that could
cause actual results or events to differ materially from those
indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: the fact
that Ocata has no product revenue and no products approved for
marketing; Ocata’s limited operating history;, the need for and
limited sources of future capital; potential failures or delays in
obtaining regulatory approval of products; risks inherent in the
development and commercialization of potential products; reliance
on new and unproven technology in the development of products; the
need to protect Ocata’s intellectual property; the challenges
associated with conducting and enrolling clinical trials; the risk
that the results of clinical trials may not support the Company’s
product candidate claims; even if approved, the risk that
physicians and patients may not accept or use Ocata’s products;
Ocata’s reliance on third parties to conduct its clinical trials
and to formulate and manufacture its product candidates; and
economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential
factors that could affect our results and other risks and
uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Ocata’s periodic
reports, including the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2014. Forward-looking
statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of
Ocata’s management at the time they are made, and Ocata does not
assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if
those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances
should change. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
opinions, and expectations of Ocata’s management at the time they
are made, and Ocata does not assume any obligation to update its
forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions,
expectations, or other circumstances should change. There can be no
assurance that Ocata’s future clinical trials will be successful or
that the results of previous clinical studies will lead to
commercialization or products or therapies.
Investors:Westwicke PartnersJohn Woolford,
443-213-0506john.woolford@westwicke.comorPress:Russo PartnersDavid
Schull, 858-717-2310david.schull@russopartnersllc.com
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