05 October 2005
Melbourne, 5 October 2005: The appointment of Clayton Utz life sciences partner Robyn Baker to the board of Melbourne-based biotech Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Limited as a non-executive director confirms widespread recognition of Clayton Utz as the leading Australasian law firm in the life sciences sector*.
Ms Baker, a partner in the Melbourne office of Clayton Utz, joins the Metabolic Board effective 31 October 2005. She brings to the Board expertise in law, management, corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
The Chairman of Metabolic, Dr Arthur Emmett, said Ms Baker's appointment would add further strength and balance to the Board as Metabolic continues to expand its drug and candidate pipeline.
"Robyn is not only recognised as a leading lawyer in the life sciences sector but also brings experience in mergers and acquisitions, commercialisation, funding agreements and governmental processes," Dr Emmett said. "Metabolic will benefit greatly from her expertise."
Ms Baker said she was delighted to be joining the Board of Metabolic at what is an important and exciting phase in the company's development. "I believe that both of Metabolic’s lead drugs (AOD9604 aimed at treating obesity and ACV1 targeting neuropathic pain) have tremendous potential and I am very enthusiastic about working with the Metabolic team to support them as they continue the clinical development of these drugs," Ms Baker said.
Ms Baker has extensive experience in the life sciences sector with a focus on health, health insurance, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and aged care. She is a member of the BioMelbourne Network Advisory Committee and a former member of the Australian Research Council’s College of Experts.
Ms Baker's appointment brings the number of directors on the Metabolic Board to six, including four non-executive directors. Ms Baker has also been appointed a member of Metabolic’s Audit Committee.
Metabolic is an ASX-listed biotechnology company based in Melbourne. In addition to its current development programs AOD9604 and ACV1, Metabolic has discovery programs targeting type 2 diabetes and, in collaboration with Neuren Pharmaceutical Limited, nerve protection and regeneration.
* In recent years Clayton Utz has been ranked as one of the world's leading life sciences firms by the Global Counsel Life Sciences Industry Handbook 2003 and as the highest ranking Australian law firm by Global Counsel 3000.
