ValiRx plc

("ValiRx" or the "Company")

Director Appointment

London, UK - ValiRx Plc (AIM: VAL), a life science company focusing on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women's health is pleased to announce that, further to the announcement of 6 September 2022, the Company has appointed Ms Stella Panu as Non-executive Director with immediate effect, following completion of standard regulatory due diligence.

Stella was a founding Partner of Maven Capital Partner UK LLP ("Maven"), an investment management company, created after a management buyout of the private equity business of Aberdeen Asset Management plc ("AAM") in 2009, and led the business through to its sale in July 2021.  Maven has a focus on venture growth and innovation and during her time at Maven, Stella led the AIM Investment team and was the lead investor in private equity across Maven. Stella was recently appointed a Non-executive Director of Vianet Group plc, an international provider of actionable data and business insight through devices connected to its Internet of Things platform ("IOT"). Having previously been at AAM and Seymour Pierce Ltd and had seats on numerous company boards, Stella brings with her a wealth of private equity M&A and AIM experience.

Stella has also previously worked for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, The World Bank, and Raifessen Investment Fund and holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and an MA in Applied Economics and Statistics.

Further disclosures on Ms Stella Panu as required under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies are included in the Appendix below.

Dr Suzy Dilly, CEO commented: "We are delighted to formally welcome Stella to the Board.  I look forward to working closely with Stella, using her expertise to help guide the implementation of our growth strategy."

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014. The person who arranged the release of this information is Dr Suzanne Dilly, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

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Notes for Editors

About ValiRx

ValiRx is a life science company focused on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women's health, accelerating the translation of innovative science into impactful medicines to improve patient lives.

ValiRx provides the scientific, financial, and commercial framework for enabling rapid translation of innovative science into clinical development.

Using its extensive and proven experience in research and drug development, the team at ValiRx selects and incubates promising novel drug candidates and guides them through an optimised process of development, from pre-clinical studies to clinic and investor-ready assets.

ValiRx connects diverse disciplines across scientific, technical, and commercial domains, with the aim of achieving a more streamlined, less costly, drug development process. The team works closely with carefully selected collaborators and leverages the combined expertise required for science to advance.

Lead candidates from ValiRx's portfolio are outlicensed or partnered with investors through ValiRx subsidiary companies for further clinical development and commercialisation. 

ValiRx listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange in October 2006 and trades under the ticker symbol: VAL.

For further information, visit: www.valirx.com

Appendix

The following information is disclosed in respect of Ms Stella Panu (age 49) pursuant to Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies. All information is as at the date of this announcement.

In conjunction with her role at Maven, Stella is or has been a director of several cash shells. Before 2016, venture capital trusts ("VCT"), of which Maven manages numerous, were permitted to invest in cash shells whereby respective investments were considered to be qualifying investments for the purposes of VCT.  These cash shells were required to make an acquisition of a trading business within 2 years.  If such an investment was not completed within the 2-year time frame then the cash shell was required to return cash/investment to respective shareholders and the entity placed into a voluntary liquidation.  Such companies, which Stella was a director at such time or in the 12 months following such event, are as follows:

Stella was previously a director of Dalglen (No. 1148) Limited.  This company was one of Maven's VCT investments.  The trading assets were sold to an acquiror in an asset sale and purchase transaction.  Following the sale of the assets, the company was placed into voluntary liquidation and was dissolved on 7 June 2019.  There were no outstanding amounts owed to creditors.

Stella was previously director of Space Student Living Limited, a company in which Maven was invested. The Company was placed into liquidation on 12 December 2012 and subsequently dissolved on 9 December 2016.  There were no amounts outstanding to creditors.

Stella was previously a director of Wey Bridging Ltd from 25 January 2010 to 26 November 2010.  The company was placed into liquidation via a creditor's voluntary liquidation on 2 November 2011. There were no amounts outstanding to creditors.

Stella was previously appointed a director of Centurion Underwriting Agency Limited, a subsidiary of Torridon Capital Limited, on 9 February 2010. On 21 December 2010 the company was placed into liquidation and subsequently dissolved on 5 April 2011. There were no amounts outstanding to creditors.

Additionally, Stella was a director of the following companies that were dissolved via voluntary wind-up at the time of or in the 12 months following her directorship:

Ms Stella Panu does not own any ordinary shares or options over ordinary shares in the Company.

There is no further information which is required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in respect of Ms Stella Panu.