Ex-Galderma CEO Xavier Yon has joined the board of UK-based skin cancer scanner firm Michelson Diagnostics Ltd as non-executive Director.

Xavier has spent more than 40 years in the medical industry, of which 15 years was spent as CEO of the major dermatology company Galderma. Under his leadership Galderma grew worldwide sales to $800 million; today Galderma employs more than 4,000 people in over 30 countries and has a turnover in excess of $1.4BN.

Prior to joining Galderma Xavier’s career included senior positions with Pfizer, Solvay and Alcon.

He holds board positions with a number of dermatology industry businesses including non-invasive skin cancer treatment company Photocure, skin regeneration specialist Elastagen and also the veterinary technology supplier Virbac Animal Health.

Xavier says: "Since my tenure with Galderma, I have always been attracted by new technologies in the field of dermatology, those which offer real value addition to the practitioners and their patients. VivoSight is definitely a unique device that falls into that category of breakthrough technology. Together with the Michelson Diagnostics Team, I intend to help making VivoSight available to clinicians in selected EU countries and in the US”

Michelson Diagnostics Ltd markets the VivoSight® OCT scanner, which provides detailed real-time images of sub-surface skin tissue. Being able to see beneath the skin surface is very helpful to dermatologists. Scanning is quick, safe, requires no special preparation and there are no side-effects.

The VivoSight® OCT scanner is being used at leading clinics in Germany on a routine basis, to aid the detection, selection of treatment and monitoring of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Xavier’s appointment comes at an exciting time in Michelson Diagnostics’ growth as a leading player in skin imaging. Brian Howlett, Chairman of Michelson Diagnostics, said: “I am delighted that Xavier has joined the team. He brings with him great experience of the clinical dermatology market, and a valuable network of industry contacts, and will be able to support the management team grow sales in current and future markets and to develop strategic relationships for accelerating growth.” 

About Michelson Diagnostics Ltd:

Michelson Diagnostics is a rapidly growing medical device company which has developed and brought to market a scanning device used to improve and accelerate care for patients suffering from non-melanoma skin cancer. Michelson Diagnostics’ core product – the VivoSight OCT scanner – is used by dermatologists to see below the surface of the patient’s skin, allowing them to gather additional information about their patient’s condition, and is the first of its kind available to dermatologists. Founded in 2006, Michelson Diagnostics designs highly innovative instruments using multi-beam optical Page 2 of 2 coherence tomography solutions. The company is headquartered in Kent, England with US operations in South Dartmouth, MA. Further information about Michelson Diagnostics is available on the Internet at http://www.md-ltd.co.uk/ or by email to enquiries@md-ltd.co.uk.

Octopus Investments Ltd:

Octopus Investments, founded in 2000, is a leading investment specialist. We offer innovative core and satellite investment solutions to UK investors, and a wide range of funding options for exceptional companies. Our core investments include a discretionary management service and a range of multi-manager multi-asset OEICs. These are complemented by our range of satellite solutions, including venture capital trusts, enterprise investment schemes and inheritance tax products. Each product has been designed to solve specific problems faced by financial advisers and their clients. Our funding solutions cover the entire capital structure, from equity through mezzanine to senior debt, and we seek out outstanding management teams in unlisted companies with whom we can partner. Octopus has built its business around three core pillars: customer led innovation, excellence in customer service and the quality of our people. We employ more than 200 people and currently have more than £2.5 billion in assets under management. Octopus has won a number of awards for its products and customer service. We have twice been voted one of the best 100 SMEs to work for by the Sunday Times, and we are one of only two fund management companies to be AAA rated by financial advisers for customer service. Octopus Media Enquiries: Georgina Turner, Octopus Investments e: gturner@octopusinvestments.com t: +44 (0)20 7776 3180

For clinical use in the US FDA 510(k) K093520 applies:

VivoSight is a Multi-Beam Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system indicated for use in the two-dimensional, cross-sectional, real-time imaging of external tissues of the human body. This indicated use allows imaging of tissue microstructure, including skin, to aid trained and competent clinicians in their assessment of a patient's clinical conditions. US Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. The Michelson Diagnostics logo and the VivoSight® name are the trademarks of Michelson Diagnostics Ltd and are registered in the UK, the US & throughout the European Union. Further information about Michelson Diagnostics is available on the Internet at http://www.md-ltd.co.uk/ or by email to enquiries@md-ltd.co.uk.