Love Pharma Co (CSE:LUV) has noted a recent update from its investee firm Starton Therapeutics in which the company strengthened its board of directors with the appointment of Moses Dodo.
In a statement on September 27, 2022, Pedro Lichtinger, Straton Therapeutics chairman and CEO said: "We are thrilled to welcome Moses to our Board; as an Independent Director Moses brings valuable reimbursement, banking and governance experience to our Board. His experience with one of the largest international private medical insurance companies enhances the strategic depth of our Board. We look forward to benefiting from his extensive knowledge and expertise."
Dodo added: "Starton is pioneering an innovative platform that has potential to achieve a meaningful benefit for cancer patients, I look forward to partnering with Starton's high-caliber board and leadership team as it seeks to advance its pipeline of potentially transformative clinical and pre-clinical programs."
READ: Love Pharma makes strategic investment in clinical-stage biotechnology company Starton Therapeutics
Most recently, Dodo served as the chairman of Bupa Global LATAM spearheading corporate development and inorganic growth, particularly in Brazil, where he also had direct business accountability. He led the effort to deliver significant growth ambition in the market, in funding and innovative healthcare provision, while leading the overall regional governance for the various group companies in the USA and in all Latin America.
Prior to the chairman role, Dodo was general manager of BGLA, overseeing one of the largest international private medical insurance (IPMI) portfolios in the region with offices in Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, T&T, Colombia, Bolivia, and Chile as well as licenses and portfolios in several countries in Central America and the Caribbean. He was also the CEO and chairman of Amedex Bermuda, a Life Insurance company and served as a board member of HtH Geoblue, a partnership with the Blue Cross Blue Shield offering IPMI in the USA.
During the past seven years, he led, among other initiatives, the acquisition and integration of CarePlus, the leading premium health insurance company in Brazil offering health insurance plans to more than 400 companies, as well as Dental funding and provision, occupational health, and telemedicine.
Dodo joined Bupa following six successful years at Haitong Bank (formerly Espirito Santo Investment Bank) where he served as the senior managing director and board member responsible for all North American operations, including the offices in New York and Mexico City.
Previously, he also served as general manager and divisional board member for WestLB Bank in New York, from 2001 until 2007, after building his banking career for 17 years in WestLB do Brazil, where he served as CEO from 1995 until moving to New York.
Throughout his 35-plus year career focused on the USA and Latin America, Starton said, Dodo has built strong relationships with regulators, media, government, corporate, distributors, and industry leaders. He is known for his diplomatic skills and collaborative partnerships that lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. His passion for leading multi-national and high-performing teams is viewed as one of his greatest strengths.
Dodo's appointment to the Starton board is expected to be formalized following shareholder approval. He will replace Cidnee Vaykovich, Starton's chief operating officer, who is resigning from her role as director and will continue to serve as an officer of the company and secretary to the board.
Love Pharma revealed on September 7, 2022, that it had made a strategic investment in Starton Therapeutics, a New Jersey-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on transforming standard of care therapies in oncology. The company said it invested an initial C$592,000 into Starton for 145,161 common shares of the issuer at a price of US$3.10 each. The investment was completed in June 2022.
The company said its investment in Starton is primarily based on the company's interest in innovative drug delivery technology, such as transdermal patches, which can reduce side effects, transforming patient outcomes with established, approved medicines allowing for streamlined market entry with long-term IP protections
Love Pharma was founded in 2020, with a mission to bring to market innovative products that enhance sexual health and wellness while providing an improved quality of life. The company holds exclusive licenses to produce market, package, sell, and distribute patent-protected therapeutic and pharmaceutical products throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com