Our Company ⋆ MDNA Life Sciences

MDNA Life Sciences.
Going beyond doubt since 2001.

MDNA Life Sciences is a pioneer in the science of mitochondrial DNA. It’s our mission to create an extensive portfolio of proprietary tests that dramatically improve diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and monitoring. Putting an end to the unnecessary surgical procedures, pain and uncertainty that affect patients across the world.

In 2001 scientists from the Universities of Newcastle in the United Kingdom and Lakehead University, Ontario in Canada collaborated to make the discovery that mitochondrial DNA can be used to identify biomarkers for the recognition of disease in humans. This was the beginning of the MDNA journey. A journey that has led to the creation of a growing portfolio of revolutionary tests for the detection of hard to detect diseases like high-grade prostate cancer and endometriosis.

To see the landmarks that brought us to this point, visit our Company Timeline page.

The Management Team

Chris Mitton

Chief Executive Officer

Chris Mitton

Chief Executive Officer

With over 15 years of medical device and diagnostics experience, Chris boasts a wealth of knowledge in transactional, sales and marketing, business development, licensing and new product introductions on an international level at leading molecular diagnostics companies. He has previously held sales roles at Abbott and Bayer Healthcare, as well as senior commercial operations leadership positions at Ipsogen, Qiagen, and Cancer Genetics Inc.

Robert Poulter

Chief Business Officer

Robert Poulter

Chief Business Officer

Prior to joining MDNA, Robert was the President and CEO of Mitomics Inc. He joined Mitomics in 2007 to oversee its transition from a research and development focused company to an international commercial enterprise offering a pipeline of early cancer detection products and was instrumental in the launch of several products. He received an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing and finance from Lakehead University, along with the Gold Medal for academic excellence and the President’s Award for his commitment to the university community.

Jennifer Creed

Chief Development Officer

Jennifer Creed

Chief Development Officer

Jennifer joined Mitomics in 2001 as a senior research specialist, where her expertise has been leveraged to discover new biomarkers, enabling the company to create and optimize a number of molecular diagnostic tests. She is a leader in identifying non-invasive approaches to previously invasive molecular tests. Prior to joining the company, she spent three years as a DNA analyst at Lakehead University’s Paleo-DNA Laboratory, working with extensively degraded nucleic acids.

Ms. Creed holds a B.Sc. (Hons) from Lakehead University, where she specialized in biological anthropology.

Andrew Harbottle, PhD

Chief Science Officer

Andrew Harbottle, PhD

Chief Science Officer

Dr Harbottle joined the Mitomics team in 2005. His extensive and versatile laboratory experience has proved invaluable in supporting Mitomics research and product development. He obtained his PhD from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, where he specialized in the field of cancer research and completed studies directed toward the protection of genes against DNA damage and tumor cell resistance to drugs. Prior to joining MDNA, Andrew worked in Dermatological Sciences at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, examining the role of mitochondrial DNA deletions in skin cancer and UV damage.

His qualifications include: PhD, Cell/Molecular Biology, MSc Toxicology and Experimental Pathology, BSc Biomedical Sciences.

Jonathan Mills, FCCA

Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan Mills, FCCA

Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan is a practicing Chartered Certified Accountant with over 30 years’ experience. He runs his own accounting practice based in the UK with over 700 clients and directly manages a large portfolio of clients in diverse sectors from healthcare, marine insurance, IT, specialised manufacturing and the entertainment industry. Clients in his portfolio have complex business structures and include cross-jurisdiction groups in the UK, US, Monaco, Luxembourg and the Channel Islands. Jonathan holds virtual CFO positions at a select number of companies with turnovers ranging from $5m-$25m and fulfils all aspects of the CFO role. He is qualified to undertake due diligence in both acquisition and disposal of companies and has been involved in deals worth $5M-$50M.

Board of Directors

Harry Smart

Chairman

Harry Smart

Chairman

Currently a non-executive director and private investor in a number of companies, Harry has an established track record of successfully taking companies and organizations through major strategic changes. Over the last 25 years he has been involved as an executive director and shareholder in two management buyouts and three company start-ups, and was instrumental in their successful growth and sale, at significant gains for shareholders. Harry has also lectured at universities and management institutions and has authored numerous papers and articles.

He holds a BSc in chemical technology, a BA in applied computing, as well as an MBA from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Robert Thayer, PhD

Director

Robert Thayer, PhD

Director

Dr Thayer, a Mitomics co-founder, is a former professor of kinesiology, adjunct professor of biology and faculty member in the applied biomolecular science program at Lakehead University in Ontario. Collectively, he has 27 years’ of teaching experience. His research focused on heat shock protein expression in skeletal muscle from elderly subjects and mtDNA mutation associated with aging, skin and prostate cancer. Dr Thayer has authored 52 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and abstracts. In addition to his academic career, he was a former Olympic athlete and coach for the Canadian Olympic Team in the 1976 Montreal Games and 1980 Moscow Games.

Dr Thayer received his PhD in kinesiology and biochemistry from the University of Western Ontario.

Christopher Hill

Director

Christopher Hill

Director

A former shareholder and non-executive director on the board of Geneius Laboratories Ltd – the UK’s leading independent microbiological testing company which uses advanced DNA techniques to identify microbiological contaminants in food and drink and recently the subject of a successful trade sale – Mr Hill is the retired Chairman and Managing Director of Cravens Ltd, a top 10 regional marketing and advertising agency in the UK, which he founded by way of a management-buy-out. Christopher has a highly respected track record in marketing planning, creative communications and brand development. He has a particular interest in the way complex scientific concepts can be communicated to non-scientists and to the investment community.

Mr Hill holds a BA from Leeds University in the UK.