Strategic appointments of seasoned entrepreneurs add expertise and strengthen governance
TORONTO, ON (October 11, 2018) — FACIT announced the appointment of two new members to its Board, Mr. Har Grover and Mr. Ken Lawless. Both leaders are passionate supporters of the Ontario life science sector, have broad industry experience and decades of work with entrepreneurial ventures. As FACIT drives oncology innovations to the marketplace and highlights Ontario as a top-tier destination for biotech investment, strong governance by its Board is critical to achieving this mandate.
Mr. Grover and Mr. Lawless join existing Board members Mr. John Morrison, Mr. Kevin Empey and Dr. Shana Kelley. As part of this transition, Mr. Greg Gubitz and Dr. Cynthia Goh are stepping down from the Board.
“On behalf of FACIT, I am pleased to welcome Har and Ken to the Board,” said Mr. John Morrison, Chair of the FACIT Board. “Their entrepreneurial and biotech industry expertise is invaluable during this pivotal time, as FACIT builds upon its expanding portfolio of cutting-edge start-ups and industry partnerships. We thank Greg and Cynthia for their insight and valued guidance in supporting FACIT’s mission to strengthen Ontario’s innovation economy.”
Mr. Grover, MBA, ICDD is currently the Executive Chairman and CEO of Scientus Pharma. He was previously Co-Founder of CannScience Innovations, as well as Founder and Managing Director of Nucleus GC, a Toronto-based professional services and investment company specializing in life sciences markets. Mr. Grover has worked with growth companies at all stages, from start-up to listing on public exchanges and growing revenue through the $1 billion dollar milestone.
Mr. Lawless, MSc, is President and CEO of Epitope Capital Corp. a privately held consulting company, and former CEO of BioDiesel Reactor Technologies Inc. During his career, he has served on numerous private and not-for-profit boards, expert panels, task forces and selection panels, promoting investment in and commercialization of life sciences companies and technologies in Canada. Mr. Lawless will also serve on the Board of Directors of FACIT’s strategic partner, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR).
With nearly $400 million in follow-on investment in FACIT portfolio companies, our partner investors rely on the solid foundation behind these ventures, and that all starts with strong governance,” remarked Dr. David O’Neill, President of FACIT. “Har and Ken’s deep experience and networks will enhance our ability to attract strategic partners, accelerate scale up of our companies here in Ontario, and ensure local breakthrough innovations ultimately reach patients.”