FACIT expands Board to advance mandate to drive Ontario cancer breakthroughs.

TORONTO, ON (November 21, 2017) — FACIT announced the expansion of its Board of Trustees with the appointment of three new members: Mr. Kevin Empey, Dr. Cynthia Goh, and Dr. Shana Kelley. Their collective appointments strengthen FACIT’s leadership team, bringing additional financial, entrepreneurial and biotech industry expertise and networks, as FACIT advances its mandate to help guide and drive breakthrough Ontario oncology innovations. The new members join existing Trustees Mr. Greg Gubitz and Mr. John Morrison. As part of this transition, Dr. Doug Squires is stepping down from his position of Chairman, FACIT Board of Trustees.

“On behalf of FACIT, it is a pleasure to welcome Kevin, Cynthia and Shana to the Board,” said Mr. John Morrison, Chairman, FACIT Board of Trustees. “Their combined strategic business management and company-building experiences will be essential to strengthening FACIT’s ability to take innovation to scale and bring significant impact to the Ontario biotechnology ecosystem and economy. At the same time, I would like to thank Doug for his dedication since the inception of FACIT, and invaluable expertise in building a strong foundation for oncology commercialization in Ontario.”

A Chartered Professional Accountant by training, Kevin Empey, CPA, holds several years of healthcare management experience, including his current role as Supervisor of Brockville General Hospital. He has been heavily involved in transforming hospital services through the creation of shared clinical and support services and private/public partnerships. Mr. Empey also sits on the Board of Directors of FACIT’s strategic partner, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR).

Cynthia Goh, PhD, brings a wide range of academic, entrepreneurial and commercialization expertise to the team. Dr. Goh is currently a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, the Institute of Medical Science, the Munk School of Global Affairs, and Director of the Impact Centre at the University of Toronto. She has co-founded five start-ups: three based on her academic research, a scientist-to-scientist e-commerce solutions company, and a non-profit company engaged in science literacy for low resource settings.

Shana Kelley, PhD, will also serve an integral role with her academic and start-up experiences. Dr. Kelley is a Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, and founder of two molecular diagnostic companies. Her work has been recognized with a variety of distinctions, including being named one of ‘Canada’s Top 40 under 40’, and a ‘Top Innovator’ by MIT’s Technology Review.

“FACIT has an important role in translating innovations to impact patients with cancer and the Ontario economy,” remarked Dr. David O’Neill, President (Acting), FACIT. “We are fortunate to benefit from our highly experienced Trustees as they are key to success in achieving the FACIT mission.”

About the Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust (FACIT)

Established by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) and the Province of Ontario as a strategic partner to accelerate commercialization of oncology innovations, the Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust (FACIT) leads these innovations from the lab to the marketplace to benefit patients, researchers, investors and the Ontario economy. For more information, please visit the website at facit.ca or email info@facit.ca.

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