Appointment of Directors
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA 28 April 2026: Arovella Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: ALA) (Arovella or the Company), a biotechnology company focused on developing its invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cell therapy platform, advises that it has today appointed new Directors to the Board.
As shareholders are aware, the Board has been undertaking a skills evaluation as part of its broader succession strategy, to identify suitable candidates to complement the expertise currently represented on the Board. The Board is pleased to advise that, following an extensive process, seasoned Pharma/Biotech executive Dr Mike Perry has agreed to join the Board as Non-Executive Director, effective 28 April 2026.
Dr Perry has deep experience in board and leadership roles, having served as VP & EVP of Regulatory Affairs, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), President, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), Chief Development Officer (CDO), and Venture Partner across leading organisations including Novartis Pharma, Baxter Healthcare, Syntex Corporation (acquired by Roche), Schering Plough (acquired by Merck), Bay City Capital, LLC, Avita Medical and others.
The Board also advises of the additional appointments of Messrs David Williams, Mark Diamond and Michael Thurn as Non-Executive Directors, effective 28 April 2026. Messrs Williams, Diamond and Thurn were candidates nominated to the Board by 5.55% shareholder The Trust Company (Australia) Limited ACN 000 000 993 as custodian for CIP Licensing Limited ACN 603 558 658 as responsible entity of the Summit Biotech Fund ARSN 664 495 468, in a (now withdrawn) section 249D notice.
About Dr Mike Perry
Qualifications
Dr Perry holds an Honours BS (Physics and Engineering) and a PhD (Biomedical Pharmacology) from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He has also earned a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery) from Ontario Veterinary College and he is a graduate of the International Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Experience
Dr Perry has over 30 years' global experience in Biotech, Pharma, Medtech, Cell & Gene Therapy, siRNA, and Venture Capital. Dr Perry’s leadership and management skills span the entire product lifecycle from late discovery through all phases of development, to regulatory approval, and initial commercial launch. He has deep board governance experience with over 25 years of board service on both public and private boards, including NYSE-, NASDAQ-, ASX-, and TASE-listed companies. He has served on and chaired key committees including Audit, Compensation, and Nomination/Governance. He has also served as Lead Independent Director. His board leadership is backed by rigorous training through VC funded companies, training at Harvard Business School, and hands-on IPO and M&A execution.
Dr Perry is passionate about translating medical innovations into meaningful high impact therapies for patients, building high-performing executive teams, and maximising stakeholder value.
Current public company directorships
Dr Perry is a director of Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ARWR)
About Mr David Williams
Qualifications
Mr Williams holds a B.Com (Hons) & Master of Economics from La Trobe University, a PhD Research in Finance from the University of Sydney and is a fellow of the AICD.
Experience
Mr Williams is an experienced director and corporate advisor with over 4 decades experience in advising ASX listed companies with expertise in business development, M&A and capital markets.
Current public company directorships
Mr Williams is currently a director of RMA Global Limited (ASX:RMY) and Kidder Williams Limited.
About Mr Mark Diamond
Qualifications
Mr Diamond holds a BSc from Monash University, and MBA from Macquarie University.
Experience
Mr Diamond is an experienced senior executive, who previously served as CEO of Antisense Therapeutics Limited (now Percheron Therapeutics ASX:PER).
Mr Diamond has a successful track record in funding, licencing deals, and partnerships. He is currently Biotech Advisor to Spark Plus and Locust Walk, and his global C-Suite executive leadership experience spans healthcare strategy, compliance and risk management, financial management, and board governance.
Current public company directorships
Mr Diamond is currently non-executive chair of Dimerix Ltd (ASX:DXB)
About Mr Michael Thurn
Qualifications
Mr Thurn holds a BAppSc (Hons) from UTS, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) from UTS.
Experience
Mr Thurn is an experienced biotechnology executive and company director with more than 25 years’ experience across drug discovery, preclinical and clinical development, regulation, commercialisation, capital raising and corporate leadership. He has held senior executive roles in both private and ASX-listed life sciences companies, including as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Neurizon Therapeutics Limited (ASX: NUZ) (formerly PharmAust Limited), co-founder and Executive Director of MARP Therapeutics, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Botanix Pharmaceuticals, and Chief Executive Officer of Mimetica and Spinifex Pharmaceuticals. He has also served in regulatory review at the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Current public company directorships
Mr Thurn is currently a director of Neurizon Therapeutics Limited (ASX: NUZ), until July 2026.
Arovella’s CEO and MD, Dr Michael Baker, commented: “We welcome the appointment of the new board members and the experience they bring, as the Company continues its work to develop its CAR-iNKT cell platform for cancer treatment. We look forward to working towards the creation of long-term value for shareholders.”