April 2012 | Hancock, ME – Mitokine Bioscience Founder and Chief Scientific Officer Brooke Ligon announced that Claire Deselle has joined Mitokine as the new CEO. Claire brings extensive experience from the Pharmaceutical and Life Science industries and a commitment to the Mitokine mission.

Mitokine Bioscience, a small biopharmaceutical firm, was founded in 2006 to find and develop solutions to medical problems. It is currently focused on critical new treatments for diabetes.

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S. and a major cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and high blood pressure. A study by the American Diabetes Association found that 1 in every 10 health care dollars is attributed to diabetes. It estimates that diabetes costs $174 billion annually.

Characterized by high blood-sugar levels, diabetes results from the body’s inability to produce and/or use insulin — a hormone that helps the body use blood sugar for energy. Type 1 diabetes develops when the body can no longer make sufficient insulin and insulin producing cells. In Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90% to 95% of cases, the body gradually loses its ability to use and produce insulin.

Significant research, including a recent independent study confirming Dr. Ligonʼs results, indicates that treatments discovered by Mitokine restore normal mechanisms of glucose management, potentially freeing patients of insulin injections. In a statement Ligon said, “Paul  provided the business experience and leadership needed at a crucial time to assist Mitokine in reaching its near term objectives.”

For more information on Mitokine Bioscience, please visit www.mitokine.com or contact the firm at 207-422-6838. Dr. Ligon can also be reached by e-mail at bligon@mitokine.com