BioNJ Adds Three Board Members

Trenton, N.J.-based BioNJ, The Gateway to Health, a network of research-based life sciences companies dedicated to furthering health innovation in New Jersey, has appointed three new board members: James Sapirstein, CEO of ContraVir Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ambaw Bellete, president and head of Cancer Commercial Operations at Photocure, Inc.; and Paul G. Howes, executive chairman of Thrombogenics Inc.

“We welcome our newest Members to the BioNJ Board of Trustees,” said Stuart Peltz, Ph.D., chairman of the BioNJ board and president and CEO of PTC Therapeutics. “Given their leadership roles in the industry, Sapirstein, Bellete and Howes will help us advance our mission of advancing New Jersey’s innovative ecosystem.”

“We are thrilled to have these accomplished leaders join our already talented Board of Trustees,” said BioNJ president and CEO Debbie Hart. “We are grateful for the unselfish service our Board provides in guiding our efforts to drive innovation and help stimulate the discovery, development and commercialization of therapies and cures that save and improve lives. As BioNJ’s rallying cry states: ‘Because Patients Can’t Wait.’”

A returning board member, Sapirstein has over 30 years of pharmaceutical industry experience. Prior to joining ContraVir Pharmaceuticals, he was CEO of Alliqua Therapeutics at Alliqua Inc., where he helped lead the transformation of transdermal wound care and drug delivery technology into a premier wound care organization. Sapirstein developed growth strategies for the organization and was responsible for several key licensing opportunities, which lead to an increased return on investment for all of the shareholders.

Bellete has nearly 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industry. He has held senior executive positions across multiple therapeutic areas in business development, commercial operations, managed care, marketing and sales at companies such as Pharmacia and Sanofi. Prior to joining Photocure, he was most recently president of Medical Compression Systems.

Howes currently serves as executive chairman of ThromboGenics Inc., the U.S. operating subsidiary of Belgian biotech company ThromboGenics, NV. Additionally, he serves as a director on the parent company’s board. Prior to ThromboGenics, Howes was the president and CEO of Inotek Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company active in ophthalmic drug development. Howes has over 25 years of commercial strategy, product development and sales and marketing experience in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.