Singapore: ASX-listed Living Cell Technologies has appointed Dr Andrea Grant to the board as managing director. Mr Roy Austin, chairman of the company, made the announcement.

Dr Grant joined LCT as chief executive in December 2011. She has extensive international experience in a variety of roles in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields, most recently at Roche Products New Zealand. She holds PhD in molecular neurobiology and a BA (Hons) in biochemistry from Cambridge University.

Under Dr Grant as the CEO, LCT has achieved a number of significant milestones. These include completing pre-clinical studies of NTCELL for Parkinson's disease, raising $1 million through a share purchase plan, completing implants in the Argentine phase I/IIa DIABECELL clinical trial, announcing the main findings of the New Zealand phase I/IIa DIABECELL clinical trial and gaining Medsafe authorization to conduct phase I clinical trials of NTCELL for Parkinson's disease.

"We are delighted to have Andrea join the board. Since she was appointed chief executive ten months ago, LCT has benefited from her commitment to refining LCT's strategy, lifting its performance, and implementing her vision for taking our products to the international market. Appointing Andrea as managing director is a natural step towards tighter integration of our vision, leadership and execution." said Mr Austin.

"I am pleased to be able to make a greater contribution to the company in terms of strategic direction and governance," said Dr Grant.