Maria replaces Ulf Björklund, who due to time limitations, can't cover the increased activities required when Aptahem becomes a clinical company. Ulf has been the Program Director and COO since 2016 and now takes on the role as senior executive advisor in Aptahem where he will continue to support the company's management team.

COO Maria Ekblad comments:

"Aptahem's development project within sepsis is very interesting and I am looking forward to learning about aptamers, an area which I believe will play an important part in future pharmaceutical therapies. It will be very exciting to take part in the intensive transition from preclinical and take Apta-1 into clinical phase - a challenge I have experience from in my previous roles."

CEO Mikael Lindstam comments:

"With Maria as COO, Aptahem gets an experienced leader who will focus on taking Aptahem into clinical phase and being part in growing the business. Her background as Director R&D and other senior management positions in various biotech companies provides valuable addition and I am looking forward to working with Maria. I also want to thank Ulf for his fantastic work during the years, and welcome him in his new role as senior executive advisor. I feel very comfortable with having continued access to Ulf's broad experience when we intensify our activities towards clinic."

For further information:

Aptahem AB
Mikael Lindstam, CEO
Tel: +46 (0)766-33 36 99
E-mail: ml@aptahem.com

About Aptahem

Aptahem AB (APTA) is a biotechnology company that develops aptamer-based pharmaceuticals for the treatment of life-threatening conditions in which a combination of coagulation and inflammation are involved. The company's primary pharmaceutical candidate, Apta-1, is being developed with the aim of preventing the high mortality rate caused by organ and tissue damage in sepsis patients, among others. The company possesses patent protection in strategic target markets and actively seeks business development opportunities with potential collaborators.