Ventures West Expands Entrepreneur in Residence Team

•  Biotech Executive Dan Giampuzzi joining Toronto office

Toronto, ON – August 15, 2007 – Ventures West, one of Canada's largest private venture capital companies, is pleased to announce that Dan Giampuzzi has joined the firm as Entrepreneur in Residence. Mr. Giampuzzi is a pharmaceutical executive with over 20 years of progressive experience in the biotechnology industry. In his new role, he will work with Ventures West to identify investment opportunities and provide strategic advice and analysis to portfolio companies in the life sciences sector.

“Ventures West is one of the largest biotech investors in Canada and we continue to attract world class talent to our team,” said Ted Anderson, Managing General Partner of Ventures West. "Dan is an accomplished biotech executive with an impressive track record. He will contribute a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our investment team and our portfolio companies.”

Mr. Giampuzzi most recently served as President and CEO of Gemin X Biotechnologies Inc., a Montreal/Philadelphia-based private biotechnology company that specializes in the discovery and development of novel small molecule cancer therapeutics based on the regulation of apoptosis, the body's natural ability to destroy injured or damaged cells. During his nine years at Gemin X, he successfully raised over $100 million in private venture capital financing from international firms and assembled a highly capable team that has put over 12 cancer drugs into the clinic and six onto the market today. Previous to Gemin X he worked in senior management roles for such organizations as MDS Capital Corp., Searle Canada Inc. and Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals.

“There are exciting opportunities right now in the Canadian biotech sector and the Ventures West EIR program is a launch pad towards my next venture,” said Mr. Giampuzzi. “I hope to bring my experience and extensive network within the US scientific and venture capital communities and support the early stage biotech companies in their portfolio."

The Ventures West EIR program is the largest in Canada. It provides experienced entrepreneurs who have outstanding track records as executives or technologists with the opportunity to join Ventures West as an interim step to their next venture. The EIR program provides these individuals with the network, resources and tools to identify emerging market and business opportunities. Entrepreneurs in the program become part of the Ventures West team and gain access to its operations and deal flow; they also provide specialized management counsel to Ventures West portfolio companies.

Ventures West has invested over $130 million in the Life Sciences sector over the last decade. Recent investments include Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Aquinox Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celator Pharmaceuticals, Macrogenics, Inc., NeurAxon Inc., Novadaq Technologies Inc., OncoGenex Technologies Inc. and Resonant Medical Inc. Mr. Giampuzzi will be joining the current Life Sciences investment team of Kenneth Galbraith, Dr. Maha Katabi and Chris Laird and will be based in the Toronto office.

About Ventures West
Ventures West Capital Ltd., a private venture capital investment group, is one of Canada’s leading investors in seed and early stage technology companies. Since its founding in 1968, Ventures West has formed eight venture capital funds which total over $700 million and has invested in more than 150 companies. Ventures West has the people, the expertise, and the capital to help entrepreneurs develop emerging technology companies into market leaders. For more information, visit www.ventureswest.com.

For More Information:
Christine Ramsay
Ventures West
cramsay@ventureswest.com
(416) 861-2280