10 July 2013
Pacific Edge appoints business leader and distinguished cancer researcher to board
Bryan Williams FRSNZ, FAA, who has a distinguished career in cancer research and international business, has accepted
appointment to the Board of Pacific Edge Limited as an Independent Director.
Dr Williams is the former Chairman of Sydney-based Marshall Edwards Pty Ltd (now Nasdaq-listed MEI Pharma), which
specialises in the clinical development of novel therapies for cancer. In his capacity as Chairman, he negotiated
licensing deals with major pharmaceutical companies, oversaw two capital raisings totalling $40 million and the transfer
of the company from Sydney to San Diego. Dr Williams retired from the Board last year.
His previous experience includes raising the initial venture capital for Gemini Technologies in the United States, a
business based on scientific research at the Lerner Institute, and positions as Scientific Advisor to other life science
start-ups. He was a co-founder of Alios BioPharma in the United States which licensed patents held by him and others.
Born and educated in New Zealand, Dr Williams became one of America’s accomplished cancer experts specialising in
molecular biology of tumour suppression. He is internationally recognised for his contributions to research on Wilms
Tumor, a cancer of the kidney that primarily affects children, and for studies on protein kinase R, an important
cellular signalling molecule. Currently, Dr Williams is Director of the Monash Medical Institute in Melbourne. Dr
Williams is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Pacific Edge Chairman, Chris Swann, says Pacific Edge will benefit greatly from Bryan Williams’s US commercial
experience and his international cancer standing.
“As an acknowledged leader in cancer research and with extensive experience in leading life science companies and
commercial evaluation of technologies, Dr Williams will provide a great complement to the skills and capabilities of the
existing Board members.”
ENDS