Press release Communiqué de presse
Press release Communiqué de presse
December 14, 2021 14 December, 2021
Sernova Appoints Christopher Barnes as Vice President, Investor Relations & Grants Options/DSUs
LONDON, ONTARIO – December 14, 2021 – Sernova Corp. (TSX-V:SVA) (OTCQB:SEOVF) (FSE/XETRA:PSH), a
clinical-stage leader in regenerative medicine and cell therapy therapeutics developing a potential ‘functional
cure’ for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and other chronic diseases, is pleased to announce today it has appointed
executive Christopher Barnes as Vice President, Investor Relations. Mr. Barnes will lead the execution of
Sernova’s investor relations strategy and communications activities.
New VP Investor Relations
Mr. Barnes has a track record of 23 years of experience in both investor relations and capital markets. His
previous investor relations experience includes being the investor relations head at a large North American
healthcare company. Additionally, he has worked in the capital markets and institutional sales for three
boutique investment dealers covering buy side accounts in Canada, the United States and Europe.
“We are pleased to welcome seasoned investor relations and capital markets executive Christopher Barnes to
the Sernova management team,” commented Dr. Philip Toleikis, President and CEO. “The ongoing success of
our Cell Pouch System™ diabetes clinical program, rivalling our peers, and our evolving global pharmaceutical
partnering activities are catching the eye of institutional investors and others. Christopher’s strong network of
relationships across the North American investment community combined with his capital markets savvy and
communications experience will accelerate and broaden the awareness of Sernova’s prospects, developing the
cell therapy industry’s most clinically successful platform to date, with our T1D study’s longest treated patient
now being insulin independent for over 20 months. He will work closely with our New York, US based LifeSci
Advisors team bolstering targeted investor outreach and other new initiatives as well as support the shift in our
shareholder base towards institutional shareholders.”
Mr. Barnes’ appointment continues the buildout of Sernova’s management and internal clinical and regulatory,
R&D and corporate teams to support and continue the execution of the Company’s growth plan.
Option and DSU Grants
In conjunction with team’s expansion and the recognition of Sernova’s significant accomplishments and
transformation over the last two years, the Sernova board of directors has granted 13,575,484 stock options to
certain officers, employees and consultants of the Company, with each option being exercisable into one
common share at a price of $1.32 per share for a period of 5 years, and granted 1,360,000 Deferred Share
Units (DSU) to its non-management directors. The last company wide option and DSU grants occurred two
years ago in 2019.
ABOUT SERNOVA
Sernova is developing regenerative medicine therapeutic solutions using a medical device (Cell Pouch) and
immune protected therapeutic cells / tissues (i.e. human donor cells, corrected human cells and stem cell-
derived cells) to improve the treatment and quality of life of people with chronic metabolic diseases such as
insulin-dependent diabetes, blood disorders including hemophilia, and other diseases treated through cellular
production of proteins or hormones missing or in short supply within the body. For more information, please
visit www.sernova.com.
ABOUT SERNOVA’S CELL POUCH SYSTEM
The Cell Pouch, as part of the Cell Pouch System, is a novel, proprietary, scalable, implantable macro-
encapsulation device solution designed for the long-term survival and function of therapeutic cells. The device
upon implantation is designed to incorporate with tissue, forming highly vascularized tissue chambers for the
transplantation and function of therapeutic cells, which then release proteins and hormones as required to
treat disease.
The Cell Pouch, along with therapeutic cells, has been shown to provide long-term safety and efficacy in small
and large animal models of diabetes and has been proven to provide a biologically compatible environment for
insulin-producing cells in humans in a Canadian first-in-human study. Sernova is currently conducting a Phase
I/II study at the University of Chicago. Positive initial results have been presented at several international
scientific conferences.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Corey Davis, Ph.D.
LifeScience Advisors, LLC
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com
Tel: 212-915-2577
Christopher Barnes
VP, Investor Relations
Sernova Corp.
christopher.barnes@sernova.com
Tel: 519-902-7923
www.sernova.com
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This release contains statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical facts, may constitute
“forward-looking statements” that involve various risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including, without
limitation, statements regarding the prospects, plans, and objectives of the company. Wherever possible, but
not always, words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects",
"potential for" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or
"should" occur are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s
beliefs with respect to future events and are based on information currently available to management on the
date such statements were made. Many factors could cause Sernova’s actual results, performances or
achievements to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended or to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such factors could include, but are
not limited to, the company’s ability to secure additional financing and licensing arrangements on reasonable
terms, or at all; ability to conduct all required preclinical and clinical studies for the company’s Cell Pouch
System and/or related technologies, including the timing and results of those trials; ability to obtain all
necessary regulatory approvals, or on a timely basis; ability to in-license additional complementary
technologies; ability to execute its business strategy and successfully compete in the market; and the inherent
risks associated with the development of biotechnology combination products generally. Many of the factors
are beyond our control, including those caused by, related to, or impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Investors should consult the company’s quarterly and annual filings available on www.sedar.com for additional
information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Sernova expressly disclaims
any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.