DiaMedica appoints Nancy Chang to its Strategic Advisory Board

DiaMedica Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for neurological and kidney diseases, has welcomed Nancy Chang to its Strategic Advisory Board, to support the company's development of its lead product, DM199.

Chang brings more than 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, successfully developing and commercialising therapeutic and diagnostic products.

She is the co-founder of Tanox, a biotechnology company known for the development of Xolaira, the breakthrough drug which changed the treatment model for allergy-induced asthma. Chang served as President and CEO of Tanox until its acquisition in 2007 by Genentech for $919 million.

“We are delighted to have attracted such an accomplished research scientist, businesswoman and philanthropist as Dr Chang,” said Rick Pauls, DiaMedica's President and CEO.

“Dr Chang's scientific experience in developing best-in-breed products for significant unmet medical needs in human neurological and endocrine diseases, as well as her business acumen in the US, European and Asian biopharmaceutical industry, will bring a unique perspective to our clinical development programme, as well as licensing and partnership opportunities.”

About Nancy Chang

Nancy Chang is the co-founder of Tanox, a Houston (Texas, USA) based biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutics to address major unmet medical needs in the areas of asthma, allergy, inflammation, aged macular degeneration and other diseases affecting the human immune system.

She served the roles of President, CEO and Chair until its acquisition in 2007 by Genentech. Prior to Tanox, Chang held several leadership positions at Centocor, now a division of Johnson and Johnson, where she conducted pioneering work in the field of HIV/AIDS research and was instrumental in developing the first diagnostic assay to detect HIV infection.

Chang received her PhD in biological chemistry from Harvard University and conducted her post-doctoral research at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology.

She currently serves as President and CEO of Apex Enterprises, an investment management company focusing on healthcare, education and socially responsible ventures.

Previously, she served as the Chair and Senior Managing Director of Caduceus Asia Partners Fund at OrbiMed Advisors, one of the largest healthcare-focused investment firms.

Chang has served on the Board of Directors of several organisations, including: The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Houston Branch; BioHouston; and Charles River Laboratories International.

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