UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Dated: April 30, 2013
Commission File No. 000-54749
MORRIA BIOPHARMACEUTICALS PLC
53 Davies Street
London W1K 5JH
United Kingdom
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Yes ¨ No x
Morria Biopharmaceuticals PLC
On April 30, 2013, Morria Biopharmaceuticals PLC (commonly known as Celsus Therapeutics) (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that Fredric Price has joined the Company’s board of directors.
Mr. Price is Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chiasma, having served as its Chairman and CEO from 2008 to 2013, stepping down as CEO in March 2013 after completing a strategic collaboration for its Phase 3 oral drug candidate in acromegaly with Roche. Previously, he was Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Omrix Biopharmaceuticals (2004-2008) a member of the Board of Directors of Enobia Pharma (2006-2012), a member of the Board of Directors of Pharmasset (2007-2010), Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Peptimmune (2007-2011), Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of BioMarin Pharmaceutical (2000-2004) and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Applied Microbiology (1994-2000).
Mr. Price’s earlier experience includes having been Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (1991-1994), the founder of the strategy consulting firm RxFDP (1986-1991), and Vice President of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals with both line and staff responsibilities (1973-1986). He received a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 6-K and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibits
|
Exhibit Number |
Description of Exhibit | |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated April 30, 2013 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| MORRIA BIOPHARMACEUTICALS PLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Dov Elefant | |
| Dov Elefant Chief Financial Officer Date: April 30, 2013 | ||
CELSUS THERAPEUTICS STRENGTHENS BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH ADDITION OF PHARMA/BIOTECH INDUSTRY VETERAN FREDRIC PRICE
NEW YORK, NY AND LONDON, UK – April 30, 2013 – Celsus Therapeutics (OTCQB: MRRBY), an emerging growth, development-stage biotech company, announced the addition of Pharma/Biotech industry veteran Fredric Price to the Company’s Board of Directors.
“We are pleased to have Fred join our board of directors,” said Gur Roshwalb, Chief Executive Officer of Celsus Therapeutics. “He brings many years of biopharmaceutical leadership and experience to the board and his expertise will be invaluable as we advance our first-in-class synthetic non-steroidal multi-functional anti-inflammatory drug candidates through the clinic and seek strategic alliances.”
“I am pleased to join the Celsus Board at this important time”, said Mr. Price. “There remains a great unmet need for safe anti-inflammatory therapies and I believe there is an opportunity for Celsus to develop a novel class of therapeutic agents that can have an impact on a range of medical conditions. I look forward to assisting in the Company’s advancement.”
Mr. Price is Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chiasma, having served as its Chairman and CEO from 2008 to 2013, stepping down as CEO a month ago after completing a strategic collaboration for its Phase 3 oral drug candidate in acromegaly with Roche. Previously, he was Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Omrix Biopharmaceuticals (2004-2008) a member of the Board of Directors of Enobia Pharma (2006-2012), a member of the Board of Directors of Pharmasset (2007-2010), Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Peptimmune (2007-2011), Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of BioMarin Pharmaceutical (2000-2004) and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Applied Microbiology (1994-2000). Mr. Price is also currently serving as Chairman of the Board of BioBlast and a member of the Advisory Board of FDNA.
His earlier experience includes having been Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (1991-1994), the founder of the strategy consulting firm RxFDP (1986-1991), and Vice President of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals with both line and staff responsibilities (1973-1986). He received a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
About Celsus Therapeutics Plc.
Celsus Therapeutics is an emerging clinical stage company focused on the development of a new class of non-steroidal, synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs termed Multi-Functional Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or MFAIDs. Celsus’s MFAIDs represent a new therapeutic platform for the treatment of a broad array of inflammatory diseases, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases. Presently, the Company has two lead drug candidates in its clinical pipeline, MRX-6, a topical cream for contact dermatitis and MRX-4, a nasal spray for treating allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Other potential treatments in preclinical development include OPX-1 for ocular inflammation, CFX-1 for cystic fibrosis, and MRX-5 for inflammatory bowel disease.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS – This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms including “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “hope,” “look forward” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Unless we are required to do so under applicable laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
| Company Contact | Investor Relations |
| Celsus Therapeutics Plc. | LifeSci Advisors, LLLC |
| Gur Roshwalb, MD | Michael Rice |
| Chief Executive Officer | mrice@lifesciadvisors.com |
| gr@celsustx.com | 646-597-6979 |