THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY GENEDRIVE PLC TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("MAR").

UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

genedrive plc

("genedrive" or the "Company")

Board changes

genedrive plc (AIM: GDR), the near patient molecular diagnostics company announces the appointment of James Cheek as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and a Director of the Company. James will take up the positions today and will succeed David Budd, who has notified the Company of his intention to step down from the role with immediate effect.

James brings extensive commercial and operational experience at a senior level through a successful career with established diagnostic companies such as Cepheid, Beckman Coulter, and Roche Diagnostics, as well as serving as an executive board member of the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA). The Board believes James' experience, especially his extensive involvement in selling into the NHS, will be valuable as the Company expands its commercial footprint and opportunities within the UK and more widely.

We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Gino Miele, Chief Scientific Officer at genedrive, to the Board as an Executive Director, with immediate effect. Gino has considerable experience in the development of molecular diagnostic technologies and systems and has been the R&D Director at genedrive since 2015 and its predecessor Epistem since 2011.  Prior to that Gino has held associate director positions in personalised medicine at Wyeth and Pfizer. Gino has been a key driver in the development of the genedrive® system and the recent menu of pharmacogenetic tests.

Ian Gilham, Chairman of genedrive, commented: "I am pleased to welcome James to the Company and look forward to working with him on the continued execution of our plans in commercialising our innovative Point-of-Care molecular diagnostic platform and tests. The focus of the Board remains on the development and commercialisation of novel Point-of-Care Molecular Diagnostic opportunities available to the Company. James' appointment underlines the Board's commitment to the ongoing successful commercial execution of the Company's innovative portfolio. I would also like to welcome Gino to the Board and look forward to his ongoing contributions to the Company going forwards.

"I would also like to thank David for his dedication and leadership over the past seven years, as he transitioned the Company from a Contract Research Organisation to being an innovator in the development of molecular diagnostics for use at Point-of-Care.  David has agreed to support James as required during his transition into his new role."

James Cheek, incoming CEO of genedrive commented: "I am very pleased to be joining genedrive at such a pivotal time for the launch and commercialisation of new rapid Point-of-Care pharmacogenetic tests for antibiotic induced hearing loss in children and optimal treatment selection for stroke patients on the genedrive® platform. I look forward to working with the outstanding individuals at genedrive, to deliver solutions that our customers need."

The following information is disclosed pursuant to Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of James Cheek:

Full name and age: James Bernard Cheek (aged 56)

James Cheek does not currently hold any ordinary shares in genedrive plc.

Current Directorships or Partnerships: 

None

Past Directorships of Partnerships:

Cepheid UK Limited

The British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA)

No further information in connection with James Cheek's appointment is required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the Aim Rules for Companies.

The following information is disclosed pursuant to Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of Dr. Gino Miele:

Full name and age: Dr. Gino Miele (aged 53)

Gino Miele and his wife hold 66,979 ordinary shares in genedrive plc. 

Current Directorships or Partnerships: 

Cytomos Limited

Past Directorships of Partnerships:

GMDX Limited

No further information in connection with Dr. Gino Miele's appointment is required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the Aim Rules for Companies.

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About genedrive plc (http://www.genedriveplc.com) 

genedrive plc is a molecular diagnostics company developing and commercialising a low cost, rapid, versatile, simple to use and robust point of need molecular diagnostics platform for use in patient stratification (genotyping), pathogen detection and other indications in emergency care.