Chippenham, UK - 24 June 2015: Vectura Group plc (LSE: VEC; "Vectura" or "the Company"), which specialises in the development of products for the treatment of airways-related diseases, announces the appointment of James Ward-Lilley as CEO and Executive Director. James will succeed Dr Chris Blackwell who, as previously announced, leaves Vectura at the end of June 2015.
James joins the Group on 1 October 2015 from AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN, "AstraZeneca") where he is currently Vice President Respiratory, Inflammation & Autoimmunity, GPPS ("Global Product and Portfolio Strategy"). In his current role James has responsibility for the development of AstraZeneca's RIA ("Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity") strategy which has included the recent acquisitions of Almirall's respiratory business and Pearl Therapeutics.
Prior to this, James led the AstraZeneca Investor Relations team from 2011 to 2012.
James has had an extensive career at AstraZeneca, spanning 28 years across a variety of commercially focused roles. James progressed from sales and marketing roles in the UK through to Country Head of Belgium and Luxembourg a position he held between 2002 and 2005. He then led AstraZeneca's business in China to become the number one pharmaceutical company in the market in 2008. James went on to become Regional Vice President for Central Eastern Europe and the Middle East where the business enjoyed a period of strong growth with sales doubling to $2billion during his tenure.
James is a BA Hons graduate, has an MBA and holds the Institute of Marketing Diploma.
The Board confirms that as previously announced, Dr Trevor Phillips will act as Interim CEO from the end of June 2015 until James Ward-Lilley joins the Company as CEO.
Bruno Angelici, Chairman, commented:
"We are delighted that James is joining as CEO. His significant relevant experience in the respiratory market which he has gained within a major global pharmaceutical company will be a considerable asset for Vectura. James joins at an exciting and important time for Vectura and we are confident that the Company will continue to grow from strength to strength under his leadership."
James Ward-Lilley commented:
"I am delighted to have accepted the role of CEO of Vectura and to build on the already strong foundations that are in place. I am looking forward to driving the business forward and ensuring the Company achieves its goal on becoming a speciality pharmaceutical company."
There are no further disclosures required pursuant to paragraph LR 9.6.13 R of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority in relation to this appointment.
-Ends-
Enquiries
Vectura Group plc
+44 (0)1249 667700
Trevor Phillips, Interim CEO
Karl Keegan, Chief Corporate Development Officer
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
+44 (0)20 7638 9571
David Dible / Malcolm Robertson
About Vectura
Vectura is a product development company that focuses on the development of pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of airways-related diseases (airways diseases). This growing market includes asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is estimated to be worth $44 billion worldwide.
Vectura now has eight products marketed by partners with growing global royalty streams and a portfolio of drugs in clinical development, a number of which have been licensed to major pharmaceutical companies. Vectura currently has disclosed development collaborations and licence agreements with several global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Novartis, Sandoz, Baxter, GlaxoSmithKline, UCB, Ablynx, Grifols, Janssen Biotech and Tianjin KingYork Group Company.
Vectura develops products for airways diseases and owns formulation and inhalation technologies that are available to other pharmaceutical companies on an out-licensing basis where this complements Vectura's business strategy.
For further information, please visit Vectura's website at www.vectura.com.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development and commercialisation of products. Various risks may cause Vectura's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programmes; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialise products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialisation activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.