Viralytics CEO, biotech veteran join company board

Viralytics (ASX:VLA) has appointed former CSL (ASX:CSL) executive Peter Turvey as a non-executive director.

Turvey has had a 30-year career in the biotechnology sector, 20 years of which were spent at CSL in roles including group general counsel and executive vice president of licensing. He played a key role in CSL’s transition from a government organisation to a global biopharmaceutical company.

He is currently a principal of Foursight Associates and also serves on the boards of AusBiotech, Starpharma (ASX:SPL), Admedus (ASX:AHZ) and Agriculture Victoria Services.

Viralytics also announced that CEO Malcolm McColl will take a seat on the board as managing director.

McColl was appointed CEO 18 months ago and has since spearheaded the company’s recent $27 million capital raising.

Turvey and McColl replace Dr Phillip Altman and Peter Molloy, who are stepping down from the board after serving for seven and six years respectively.

Viralytics chairman Paul Hopper commented that both new appointments would benefit the company. “Peter has arguably one of the finest résumés in the Australian biotech scene [and] Malcolm has achieved outstanding clinical and corporate results since his appointment as CEO last year,” he said.

Viralytics (ASX:VLA) shares were trading 1.89% higher at $0.27 as of around 1 pm on Monday.