LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE, Belgium, December 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

NOVADIP BIOSCIENCES, an innovative biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of new generation of regenerative and reconstructive therapies adapted to severe orthopaedic conditions, today announces the appointment of GIL BEYEN as an independent director of the company, effective immediately. Mr. BEYEN's appointment brings large experience in regenerative medicine as well as strong expertise in international partnerships and M&A in the biotechnology sector.

Since 2012, Gil is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ERYtech Pharma (ERYP.PA) and contributes to the listing of this French biotechnology company active in innovative cancer therapy. Prior to this, he co-founded TiGenix (TIG.BR) in 2000, and served as CEO till 2011. TiGenix was a pioneer company in regenerative medicine. During his mandate, Gil was instrumental in the listing of the company and the subsequent merger with Cellerix. Earlier to this, Gil has been a management consultant at Arthur D. Little in the Healthcare and Biotech industries. Gil holds an MSc in Bio-Engineering from the University of Leuven and obtained an MBA from the University of Chicago (U.S.A.) in 1990.

"I am truly delighted that a leader of the caliber of Gil has decided to join the Board of Novadip," says Jean-François Pollet, CEO of NOVADIP BIOSCIENCES. "As co-founder and CEO of TiGenix, Gil has successfully led the development and regulatory approval of the first Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) in Europe. His background in cell-based therapies and his knowledge of biopharmaceutical industry will help lead our company in its international development up through the marketing of its ATMPs candidates."

"Gil is a seasoned professional in industrial  biotechnology and he will add a valuable perspective to our Board of Directors," adds Philippe Durieux, Chairman of the Board. "We appreciate his commitment to serve as a director and look forward to benefitting from his experience and advise to develop NOVADIP BIOSCIENCES."

Commenting on his new role, Gil Beyen said: "I am pleased to join Novadip's board of directors. The field of regenerative medicine is rapidly developing and Novadip's approach and technology are holding strong promise. I hope I can support Novadip in realizing this promise."

About NOVADIP BIOSCIENCES 

Founded by Prof. Denis Dufrane and Jean-François Pollet, NOVADIP BIOSCIENCES, a spin-off company from University of Louvain (UCL) and Saint-Luc University Hospital (CUSL), is active in skeletal regenerative medicine. First NOVADIP's mission is to treat patients with critical size bone defects and severe bone diseases. NOVADIP's proprietary product, Creost®, is a natural scaffold-free and tridimensional bone structure, which reconstructs large bone defects without the need of any biomaterial. It is a fully osteogenic living implant with a mineralization similar to a real bone. Creost® is an autologous cell based-therapy product obtained from Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AMSCs) which promotes (i) a perfect engraftment without any scaffold and (ii) a tissue remodeling with all native bone properties. Creost® is a medical solution to reconstruct large bone defects for a long-term improvement of quality of life in orthopaedic, neurosurgery and maxillo-facial surgeries. First clinical results in hospital exemption show impressive clinical efficacy and safety in extreme clinical indications.

http://www.novadip.com

SOURCE Novadip Biosciences SA