Awakn Life Sciences Inc. Announces Two Key Appointments to its Board of Directors

TORONTO, CANADA, 20 April 2021 – Awakn Life Sciences Inc. (Awakn) announced today the appointment of Stephen Page and Professor John Papastergiou as independent non-executive directors to the company's Board of Directors. Both appointments bring a significant level of experience and senior board governance in the healthcare sector.

Stephen Page has worked at Chief Executive and Board level in UK healthcare for over 30 years, most noticeably leading Priory Healthcare, the largest network of mental healthcare hospitals and clinics in the UK, through a period of rapid expansion and market dominance. He has led and successfully grown organisations in both public and private sectors including Oxleas NHS Trust in London, Nestor plc and Acorn Care and Education.

As founding CEO of Acorn Care and Education, and supported by Phoenix Equity Partners, Stephen built the company via acquisition and organic growth to be a leading national provider of special needs education and foster care. He led the sale to the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in 2010.

Professor Papastergiou is an experienced pharmacist and clinical research scientist who has served as an advisor to several leading pharmaceutical organizations including Bayer, Pfizer, GSK, and Astra Zeneca. His innovative research in point-of-care diagnostic testing and pharmacogenomics has led to the development and advancement of several tech start-up companies of which he also served as a board director. 

Professor Papastergiou holds Faculty appointments at the schools of Pharmacy at each of the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo. In 2019, he was named by the International Forum on Advancement of Healthcare as one of the top 100 healthcare leaders globally and was also presented with the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association Award for Excellence in Research and Academia.

"We are privileged to welcome both Steve and John’s vast experience and independent governance to our Board of Directors at this next stage of Awakn’s evolution," said George Scorsis, Awakn’s chairman. "Both are highly respected and have extensive experience in up-scaling fast-growing companies in the mental health and biotechnology sectors, respectively. Most significantly, Steve and John will oversee the board as we prepare for our planned public listing later in the year.”