IPM Announces Dr. James McIntyre as Board Chair, New Board Members Ms. Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul and Mr. Michael Stevens
New Board Chair and members bring diverse perspectives and expertise at an exciting time in IPM’s history
SILVER SPRING, Md. (January 24, 2014) — The International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) today announced the appointment of Dr. James McIntyre as Chair of its Board of Directors, as well as the addition of two new Board members, Ms. Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul and Mr. Michael Stevens.
Together, they bring decades of experience in HIV prevention, women’s economic empowerment and product development to help advance IPM’s mission to create new health technologies for women around the world.
Dr. McIntyre assumes the Chair of the Board position after two years as a member of the Board. He replaces outgoing Chair, Dr. Peter B. Corr, of Auven Therapeutics Management. Dr. McIntyre is the Executive Director of The Anova Health Institute, a nonprofit research and technical assistance organization based in South Africa with a specific focus on HIV/AIDS. His expertise in HIV research and programming — particularly related to women and mother-to-child transmission — has earned him international recognition in the field. He is the co-recipient of the 2002 Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; the 2003 “Heroes in Medicine” award of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care; and the 2009 N’Galy-Mann Award of the Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health, among others.
“I am honored to be part of such a vibrant organization working on the frontlines of innovation for women’s health,” Dr. McIntyre noted. “It’s been inspiring to see how much IPM has accomplished under Dr. Corr’s leadership. As Chair, I will work with our Board and the organization’s senior leadership to ensure that the opportunities at hand translate into impact on the ground.”
Two new members are joining IPM’s Board. Ms. Wieczorek-Zeul, the former Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development for Germany, has been a vocal HIV/AIDS advocate throughout her career, using her government positions to advance key research and policy agendas. During her time as Minister from 1998 to 2009, she prioritized the economic well-being of women and girls, worked to ensure access to affordable medicines in developing countries, and pushed for universal access to prevention, treatment and care for all persons affected by HIV/AIDS.
“I’ve seen the toll HIV/AIDS takes on women and their communities, and it has inspired my lifelong commitment to improving the lives of women and girls,” said Ms. Wieczorek-Zeul. “I am thrilled to join such an esteemed group of colleagues on IPM’s Board of Directors, and I hope I can contribute my experience to their efforts.”
In addition, Mr. Stevens comes to the Board with broad international experience in the corporate healthcare and pharmaceutical fields. He has served as Chairman of Trustees of the ENTHUSE Charitable Trust, which is part of Project ENTHUSE — a £multimillion partnership of the Wellcome Trust, UK government and leading international corporations to promote continuing professional development for science teachers. He is also former Executive Vice President of GE Healthcare. With these experiences, he is well-versed in the financial, regulatory, manufacturing and access aspects of product development.
“IPM has an exciting portfolio of products in various stages of development, and I am eager to bring my background to bear on those efforts,” said Mr. Stevens, “from advancing the dapivirine ring in clinical trials to moving IPM’s multipurpose prevention technology and a host of important compounds through its pipeline.”
Mr. Stevens’ significant knowledge in finance and accounting, including having acted as Chair for various nonprofit organizations’ audit and finance committees, will also have tremendous value to IPMs Board.
These Board appointments come at a particularly important moment in IPM’s history. In 2015, IPM anticipates results from its Phase III licensure program for its monthly microbicide ring. The ring contains the antiretroviral drug dapivirine and could provide women with long-acting, discrete protection against HIV for a month or longer.
Pending the outcomes of the licensure program studies, IPM will work to secure regulatory approval for the product and work with partners to ensure the product is accessible and affordable to the women who need it most. Dr. McIntyre, Ms. Wieczorek-Zeul, Mr. Stevens and the entire Board will provide strategic guidance around trial results and will be critical in shaping the organization’s future direction.
“The dapivirine ring could be a game-changer in women’s HIV prevention,” stated Zeda Rosenberg, CEO of IPM. “At this milestone for our organization, we are thrilled to have our incoming Chair and new Board members’ help in charting a successful path forward for IPM and women everywhere.”
About IPM:
IPM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing new HIV prevention tools and other sexual and reproductive health technologies for women, and making them available in developing countries. IPM has offices in the United States and South Africa. Please visit www.IPMglobal.org.
Contacts:
IPM US and Europe: Holly Seltzer, hseltzer@IPMglobal.org, +1.301.608.4277
IPM Africa: Leonard Solai, lsolai@IPMglobal.org, +27.21.860.2314