Bruce I. Andrews, a former President and CEO of the Animal Health Division of Alpharma, Inc, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of pharmaceutical and feed additive products for livestock, poultry and fish worldwide, was elected to the MariCal board at their November quarterly board meeting and announced by MariCal Chairman, Mr. Steve Morrell.
Joining Mr. Andrews on the MariCal board is Edward L. McMillan, a former President and CEO of Purina Mills Inc., which was the largest manufacturer and distributor of animal nutrition products in the U.S.
Mr. Morrell expressed, “The MariCal board is significantly strengthened by the addition of Bruce Andrews and Ed McMillan. These gentlemen are premier talent being extremely well-respected and known by the industry. They will help provide the key strategic guidance MariCal needs to exploit the nutrition and health segments of agribusiness that will return value to our stockholders.”
MariCal’s key discovery is that of a class of molecular extracellular ion receptor proteins, called Calcium Receptors (CaR’s), that serve as the biological sensors or “master switches” that enable aquatic organisms to sense and respond to changes in both water salinity and nutrients in their aquatic environment. This patented technology also has applications in food and companion animals by providing specialized dietary formulations that enhance the nutritional and growth performance of livestock and pets.
“I am very excited about MariCal’s Calcium Receptor technology that utilizes a natural process. I believe it will have as big an impact on the livestock and poultry industries to improve feed utilization and overall health as feed antibiotics had in the early 50’s,” says Mr. Andrews.
“I look forward to assisting MariCal in the pursuit of the successful application of their Calcium Receptor technology into numerous food producing and companion animal species worldwide,” says Mr. McMillan.
MariCal Senior Vice President, William Thomas stated, “Bruce Andrews and Ed McMillan are exceptional leaders of the animal health and nutrition industry. Their joining MariCal’s board is validation of the scientific strength of our technology and the promising future our product development efforts will bring to food and companion animals as well as to our core aquaculture business.”
Mr. Thomas indicated that Fountain AgriCounsel, a leading management consulting and strategic advisor firm to the agribusiness industry was instrumental in facilitating the introductions of Mr. Andrews and Mr. McMillan to MariCal.
Currently Mr. McMillan is an independent business consultant focusing on food and agribusiness, and Mr. Andrews serves as the COO of BioValve Technologies, Inc. a specialty pharmaceutical company. Both Mr. McMillan and Mr. Andrews have extensive animal health and nutrition industry involvement and also serve on numerous corporate boards.
TheFishSite News Desk