Today, diaDexus announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Adeoye Y. Olukotun, M.P.H., F.A.C.C., F.A.H.A. as an independent director. Dr. Olukotun has over 35 years of medical experience, having worked in management positions at pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and major medical device companies. He is a board certified cardiologist and has been instrumental in the submission of many New Drug Applications, Premarket Authorization Applications, and 510(k) Applications.
diaDexus’ President and CEO, Brian Ward, Ph.D., commented, “As a board certified cardiologist and experienced biotechnology and pharmaceutical company leader, Dr. Olukotun brings a unique mix of clinical, regulatory and commercial expertise in the cardiology space to diaDexus. His experience will be critical as we prepare to seek FDA clearance of our activity test in the U.S. and begin developing a robust pipeline of cardiovascular diagnostic products.”
Dr. Olukotun is an active board member at Nordion Inc., and is also the vice chairman of CardioVax, LLC, a company that seeks to advance technologies in the treatment of cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis. Prior to that, Dr. Olukotun was a co-founder and chief medical officer at VIA Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focused on the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Prior to that, he was the chief medical officer and senior vice president of clinical and regulatory affairs at Esperion Therapeutics, a cardiovascular drug development company, until its acquisition by Pfizer.
Dr. Olukotun holds a B.A. degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina, a M.D. degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a M.P.H. degree from Harvard University School of Public Health. He trained in cardiovascular diseases and did his fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
“I am thrilled to be joining the diaDexus Board of Directors at a time when the company’s management team is executing on a new and robust business strategy to grow the market for the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 diagnostic test which aids in predicting risk for both coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke associated with atherosclerosis,” remarked Dr. Olukotun. “I look forward to working with the company as it becomes a leader in the cardiovascular diagnostic field.”
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