TORONTO and BOSTON - September 22, 2025 - TheNewswire — Sernova Biotherapeutics (“Sernova”) (TSX: SVA) (OTCQB: SEOVF) (FSE/XETRA: PSH) a leading regenerative medicine company focused on developing its Cell Pouch Bio-hybrid Organ as a functional cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D), today announced the appointment of John L. Brooks III as Chair of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

“We are honored to have John lead our Board at this exciting time for Sernova,” said Jonathan Rigby, CEO of Sernova. “His deep experience in T1D, venture capital and building early-stage companies will be invaluable as we advance our Cell Pouch Bio-hybrid Organ as a functional cure for T1D into the final cohort of our ongoing phase 1 / 2 clinical trial.”

 

John L. Brooks III currently serves as Managing Director at Healthcare Capital LLC, where he advises early-stage life science companies and also as the CEO of Diamune that is developing innovative IgG Fc-Fusion insulin analogs. During his career, Mr. Brooks served as the Chair and CEO of the Joslin Diabetes Center, the world's preeminent diabetes research, clinical care, and education organization. Additionally, he has co-founded seven life science companies, including Insulet Corporation (Nasdaq; PODD), developer of the Omnipod tubeless insulin pump. He was previously a founder of Prism Venture Partners, a senior medical device executive at Pfizer, and a senior manager at Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Brooks also serves on the boards of several T1D and population health organizations.

 

“I am thrilled to join Sernova at such an exciting moment in its journey,” said Mr. Brooks. “The Cell Pouch Bio-hybrid Organ holds great potential for patients with T1D, and the integration of novel immunotherapies like tegoprubart could significantly improve the durability and effectiveness of islet cell transplantation. I look forward to working with the leadership team and board to help guide Sernova as we seek to provide T1D patients with a viable functional cure.”

 

Mr. Brooks holds an M.S. in Business Administration and a BBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he graduated cum laude. He is also a certified public accountant.

  

ABOUT SERNOVA BIOTHERAPEUTICS

Sernova Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing regenerative medicine therapeutics combining its Cell Pouch with human donor cells or stem-cell derived islet-like clusters in collaboration with Evotec to create bio-hybrid organs to treat T1D. A bio-hybrid organ is comprised of non-biomaterials, such as the Cell Pouch, integrated with living tissues to restore or enhance the function of a compromised organ. This innovative approach aims to deliver a potentially revolutionary treatment for patients with chronic diseases, initially focusing on T1D and thyroid disorders.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

David Burke VP, Investor Relations (917) 751-5713

Email: David.Burke@sernova.com

Website: https://sernova.com/

 

The TSX has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Sernova has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: the company’s ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms, or at all; and the ability to conduct all required preclinical and clinical studies for the company’s Cell Pouch, including regulatory approval, the timing and results of those trials. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Sernova appears in Sernova’s Annual Information Form for the year ended October 31, 2024, filed with Canadian securities authorities and available at www.sedarplus.ca, as updated by Sernova’s continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Sernova disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.