Amphion Innovations Names Zaki Hosny of Merck and Company
CEO of Partner Company Motif BioSciences
NEW YORK, June 8, 2006 - Amphion Innovations plc (LSE:AMP - News; "Amphion"), a leading developer and operator of companies in the life sciences and medical technology sectors, today announced that its partner company, Motif BioSciences, Inc., has named Zaki Hosny deputy chairman and chief executive officer. This appointment, effective from July 1, 2006, marks an important milestone in Motif's progress as it advances its programs in the Arabian Gulf region.
Mr. Hosny has more than three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with specific expertise in creating and implementing successful marketing strategies and product launches as well as ongoing product development and sales. In addition, he has considerable international experience, including within the Middle East and Europe, and has extensive experience building strategic relationships with governments and regulators.
His appointment to Motif comes on the heels of a number of significant company achievements. Motif played an important role in the design and installation of the Shafallah Center's Genetics Medical Center in Doha, Qatar, and Motif scientists recently completed the first sequencing and analysis of DNA samples from the Gulf region.
"We are delighted to be bringing Zaki into our company at this significant juncture," said Richard C.E. Morgan, chief executive officer of Amphion Innovations plc and chairman of Motif.
"The Gulf region has been underserved in pharmaceutical and genetic research and Motif is excited to be partnering with leading Gulf countries to help bring state-of-the-art science and technology to the region. Zaki's experience in managing the processes that support pharmaceutical discovery, development and commercialization will help us advance Motif and its genetic research to the next level."
Mr. Hosny comes to Motif from Merck and Company, Inc., where he most recently held the position of vice president of marketing and operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In that role, he was responsible for the development of marketing strategies for the entire product portfolio of the region. In previous positions, Mr. Hosny successfully supervised business units in many parts of Europe with significant sales and income.
"I am excited to be joining Motif and look forward to working closely with the Amphion team in taking the company forward in the region," said Mr. Hosny.
"In the past few months, interest in Motif's programs in the Gulf has sharpened considerably, particularly in relation to what our research can do to advance the understanding and, in due course, the treatment of diabetes and other afflictions which are prevalent in the area."
Mr. Hosny succeeds Dr. Stephen Cass as CEO of Motif. Dr. Cass, a managing director of Amphion, will remain committed to Motif full time for the foreseeable future in the role of vice president for business development.
"Stephen has played a critical role in bringing Motif to the point where we can attract an executive of Zaki's skill and experience," said Morgan. "We are indebted to Stephen for his contributions to the development of Motif and look forward to his continuing involvement in the success of the company."
Mr. Hosny earned a master's degree in history and law from Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. In addition, he completed the executive business management programs at Harvard University, at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and at INSEAD in France.
Zaki Hosny is an accomplished pharmaceutical industry executive experienced in creating and implementing successful strategies for managing the processes of pharmaceutical discovery, development and commercialization. Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman of Motif BioSciences, Inc., Mr. Hosny spent three decades with Merck and Company, Inc. of the USA, where he most recently held the position of Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In that role, he was responsible for the development of marketing strategies for the entire product portfolio of the region. In earlier assignments, Mr. Hosny successfully supervised business units in many parts of Europe with significant sales and income.
For further information please contact
Amphion Innovations plc
Aaron Kwittken, Investor Relations
1 (646) 747-7144
Motif BioSciences, Inc
Richard Morgan, CEO
1 (212) 210-6224
About Motif BioSciences, Inc.
Motif BioSciences, Inc. is a population genetics company focused on discovering genetic causes of major diseases by interpreting the wealth of genomic data from Arabian Gulf Region.
On the Web: www.motifbio.com
About Amphion Innovations plc
Amphion Innovations plc is listed on the AIM Exchange in London under the symbol AMP. Amphion's business is the formation, financing, management and development of life sciences and technology companies, working in partnership with corporations, governments, universities and entrepreneurs seeking to commercialize their intellectual property.
On the web: www.amphionplc.com
