Dr. Jack Kavanaugh Named Chairman of Ireland's Orbsen Therapeutics

LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Jack Kavanaugh, an internationally recognized surgeon and businessman who has spearheaded the commercialization of cellular therapies and emerging biotechnology firms has been named Chairman of Orbsen Therapeutics, it was announced today by Dr. Chris Coughlan, Founding Director.  "Orbsen Therapeutics has developed cutting edge stem cell technology and is poised to become a leader in the global clinical cell therapy market. The appointment of Dr. Jack Kavanaugh as Chairman, with his international experience, reputation and track record brings us closer to fulfilling the worldwide potential of this remarkable company."

"I am delighted to welcome Dr. Jack Kavanaugh as Chairman of the board," said Prof. Frank Barry, Orbsen Therapeutics Founding Director and CEO. "He will play a strong role in shaping the company in terms of strategy, investment and clinical development, both in Europe and in the U.S. Jack's outstanding reputation as an innovator and leader in the commercialization of cellular therapies will ensure Orbsen's continued growth and success."

Dr. Stephen Elliman, Head of Research of the Galway, Ireland based company noted that Kavanaugh's association with the company begins immediately.

Said Kavanaugh, "I am deeply honored to assume a leadership role with this remarkable company. I believe Orbsen's platform stem cell technology represents a profound advance in the field of regenerative medicine and the results of their research will have great social impact and worldwide leadership potential. They are poised to become a leader in the global clinical cell therapy market."

Added Kavanaugh, "By targeting diabetic nephropathy, diabetic wounds, acute respiratory distress syndrome, primary sclerosing cholangitis and orthopedics,  Orbsen is poised to make a profound difference on the quality of lives of the countless people suffering from these conditions."

Founded in 2006, Orbsen Therapeutics Ltd., is a privately held company led by global leaders in the field of Regenerative Medicine. The company, which was a spin-out of Ireland's Regenerative Medicine Institute, has developed proprietary technologies that enable the isolation of pure and therapeutic stromal cells from human tissues which can be selected from a single donor, expanded and frozen to generate many doses of a high-margin, "off-the-shelf" therapeutic product.

Kavanaugh, who resides in Los Angeles, has helped commercialize numerous technologies and led companies to create next-generation medical treatments. He received his M.D. degree from The University of Southern California and taught eye surgery to residents and fellows at The University of California at Los Angeles, where he also received his M.B.A. degree.  In 2008, Dr. Kavanaugh founded ZetaRX Biosciences, a company at the leading edge of immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer. In late 2013, ZetaRx was sold and became the core component of Juno Therapeutics which became the largest IPO of the year and reached a market cap of $5.5 billion.

Kavanugh and his wife Leslie, a real estate executive, are supporters of numerous charitable effort including City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. The center is one of a handful of comprehensive Cancer Centers in the U.S. authorized by the National Cancer Institute to eradicate several deadly diseases.

CONTACT:
Andrew E Freedman, Andrew E Freedman PR at (818) 955-7010 or [email protected]
Paul Reader, Andrew E Freedman PR at (818) 955-7010 or [email protected]

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