INDUSTRY NEWS: Burcon director receives prestigious appointment

Burcon director receives prestigious appointment

VANCOUVER, - Burcon NutraScience Corporation (TSX: BU) wishes to recognize Burcon director Dr. D. Lorne Tyrrell, who has been appointed as the inaugural director of the new Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology in Canada.

On April 23, 2010 The University of Alberta announced receiving a $28-million gift from the Li Ka Shing (Canada) Foundation and $52.5 million in new related funding from the Government of Alberta. The donation - the largest cash gift in the University of Alberta's history - will help establish the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and add the University of Alberta to a global health-science research network facilitated by the Li Ka Shing (Canada) Foundation.

Burcon director, Dr. D. Lorne Tyrrell was announced as the inaugural director of the new Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology. Dr. Tyrrell thanked the foundation for the support and stated, "Since I began research in infectious diseases over 30 years ago, there has been a steady stream of new infectious diseases - an average of one per year; diseases you will easily recognize. These include HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, SARS, West Nile virus, new strains of herpes viruses and new strains of influenza. A number of these viruses have been proven to cause cancer, such as the papilloma virus in cervical cancer and hepatitis viruses that cause liver cancer."

The announcement marks the beginning of an exciting new partnership among the University of Alberta, the government of Alberta and the Li Ka Shing (Canada) Foundation, a foundation dedicated to improving the human condition through the advancement of education, health care, arts and culture and community projects around the world. In addition, the University of Alberta announced that the building in which the Alberta Diabetes Institute is located, has been named the 'Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation'.

"We are pleased for Lorne for having been selected for this prestigious position," stated Johann F. Tergesen, Burcon's President & COO who added, "Through years of commitment to his research, Lorne has made a significant contribution to the understanding of infectious diseases. We are delighted to help recognize Lorne's accomplishments."

SOURCE: CNW Newswire Press Release, Burcon Press Release