Proposed independent directorate appointment
21 January 2022
Oxford, UK. GENinCode Plc (AIM: GENI), the predictive genetics company focused on
the prevention of cardiovascular disease, announces its intention to appoint
Professor Huon Gray CBE, to the Board as an independent non-executive director.
Huon has 30 years' experience practising as a consultant cardiologist for the NHS
and private sector, with particular experience in cardiovascular risk assessment
and interventional cardiology. Huon served as the National Clinical Director for
Heart
Disease in the Department of Health and then NHS England from 2012-2019,
advising government, all party parliamentary groups, the NHS and NICE on
healthcare delivery and reform. He is a former President of the British Cardiac
Society (now the British
Cardiovascular Society) and was previously Chair of the International Committee
of the American College of Cardiology.
In 2018, Huon was awarded the honour of Master of the American College of
Cardiology, the only recipient outside of the US, and the Mackenzie Medal by the
British Cardiovascular Society in 2014 in recognition of his services to British
cardiology. In
2019, he was made a CBE for his services to cardiology.
Huon's exposure to the US healthcare system through his work with the American
College of Cardiology over 15 years, in roles such as Trustee and Chair of its
Governance Committee, will support the Company as it targets the US as one of
its primary
markets. Additionally, during Huon's tenure at NHS England, he acted as a
liaison with industry and Academic Health Science Networks, helping deliver
healthcare in the NHS through encouraging the adoption of innovation and new
technology.
Huon will be appointed to the board of GENinCode following finalisation of the
terms of his appointment and the completion of the necessary regulatory due
diligence in accordance with the AIM Rules.
In addition, GENinCode anticipates appointing an additional independent
non-executive director in the short-term. A suitably qualified US-based
candidate has been identified that is an experienced healthcare industry and US
FDA regulatory veteran and
whom the Board believes will be very additive to GENinCode's future.
Further announcements will be made at the appropriate time.
Bill Rhodes, Chair of GENinCode Plc, commented: “We are
delighted to have Huon join the Board, subject to completion of the
necessary formalities. Huon has extensive and expansive experience in
clinical cardiology and through his relationships globally, and particularly
in the US and the UK, coupled with his deep appreciation for the benefits
both patients and practitioners will gain from the use of our products,
there is no question he will add tremendous value to the Board, the Company
and our shareholders.”
Matthew Walls, CEO of GENinCode Plc, added: “Huon's
background and vast experience as a leading cardiologist in both the UK and
the US will be invaluable to the Company as we look towards
commercialisation later in 2022. Importantly, he shares our excitement about
the potential of the Company's portfolio of products to drastically improve
the current standard of care worldwide.”
Professor Huon Gray CBE commented: “I am delighted to be asked to join the Board of GENinCode at this important stage. Cardiovascular risk assessment in the US and UK currently comprises a series of questions related to conventional risk factors, with no genetic risk assessment. This is despite family history being one of the most significant contributing risk factors to an individual's likelihood of suffering from cardiovascular disease. Consequently, the Company's portfolio of diagnostic products have significant potential to improve the standard of care for millions who every year suffer from cardiovascular disease.”
For more information visit www.genincode.com
Enquiries:
GENinCode Plc | www.genincode.com or via Walbrook PR | ||
Matthew Walls, CEO | |||
Paul Foulger, CFO |
|||
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker) | Tel: +44 (0)20 7710 7600 | ||
Alex Price / Ben Maddison / Richard Short | |||
Cenkos Securities Plc (Joint Broker) |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7397 8900 |
||
Giles Balleny | |||
Dale Bellis / Michael Johnson (Sales) | |||
Walbrook PR Limited Anna Dunphy / Paul McManus / Louis Ashe-Jepson |
Tel: 020 7933 8780 or genincode@walbrookpr.com |
About GENinCode
GENinCode Plc is a UK based company specialising in genetic risk assessment of
cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and
disability worldwide.
GENinCode operates business units in the UK, in the United States through
GENinCode U.S. Inc and in Europe through GENinCode S.L.U.
GENinCode predictive technology provides patients and physicians with globally leading preventative care and treatment strategies. GENinCode CE marked invitro-diagnostic molecular tests combine clinical algorithms and bioinformatics to provide advanced patient risk assessment to predict disease onset.
About Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, taking an
estimated 17.9 million lives each year. CVD is a group of disorders of
the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular
disease, rheumatic
heart disease and other conditions. More than four out of five CVD deaths are
due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur
prematurely in people under 70 years of age.
The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are
unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. The
effects of behavioural risk factors may show up in individuals as raised blood
pressure, raised
blood glucose, raised blood lipids, and overweight and obesity. These
“intermediate risks factors” can be measured in primary care facilities and
indicate an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other
complications.
Cessation of tobacco use, reduction of salt in the diet, eating more fruit and
vegetables, regular physical activity and avoiding harmful use of alcohol have
been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Health policies that
create conducive
environments for making healthy choices affordable and available are essential
for motivating people to adopt and sustain healthy behaviours.
Identifying those at highest risk of CVDs and ensuring they receive appropriate
treatment can prevent premature deaths. Access to noncommunicable
disease medicines and basic health technologies in all primary health care
facilities is essential to
ensure that those in need receive treatment and counselling.
CVD causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is the largest cause of
premature mortality in deprived areas and is the single biggest area where the
NHS can save lives over the next 10 years. CVD is largely preventable, through
lifestyle changes and
a combination of public health and NHS action on smoking and tobacco addiction,
obesity, tackling alcohol misuse and food reformulation.
Genetic risk assessment can help early detection and treatment of CVD to help patients live longer, healthier lives. Many people are still living with undetected, high-risk conditions such as high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation (AF). Progress continues in the NHS to identify and diagnose people routinely knowing their ‘ABC' (testing and monitoring of AF, Blood pressure and Cholesterol) set out in the NHS 10 Year plan.