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Vitality Biopharma Appoints Former Ohio Gov. Richard F. Celeste to Board

The company added an additional position on its board of directors and has appointed Celeste to serve in that post.


LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRESS RELEASE -- Vitality Biopharma, Inc., a corporation dedicated to the development of cannabinoid prodrug pharmaceuticals, and to unlocking the power of cannabinoids for the treatment of serious neurological and inflammatory disorders, has announced that it has added an additional position on its board of directors and has appointed former Ohio Gov. Richard F. Celeste to serve in that post.

Gov. Celeste has had a remarkable career in both the public and private sector. A former Rhodes Scholar, Gov. Celeste’s lifework has included:

  • State Representative, Ohio House of Representatives;
  • Lt. Governor, State of Ohio;
  • Director, United States Peace Corps (appointed by President Carter);
  • Governor, State of Ohio (two terms);
  • Chairman of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable at the National Academy of Sciences;
  • United States Ambassador to India (appointed by President Clinton);
  • President, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado (nine years).

The company welcomes the extensive experience in both public and private enterprise that Gov. Celeste brings to his new position with Vitality Biopharma.

“Vitality Biopharma is at the cutting edge in the development and use of cannabis for the treatment of serious medical conditions,” commented Edward Feighan, chairman of Vitality. “Gov. Celeste’s broad experience and knowledge of public policy and healthcare dynamics will be exceedingly helpful as the company grows and begins to commercialize its portfolio of cannabis-based therapeutics.”

Vitality has completed extensive development of cannabinoid pharmaceuticals targeting treatment of gastrointestinal conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. With positive results in preclinical studies, the company is now planning to initiate FDA and DEA-compliant clinical trials in the United States.

"I am honored and enthused to serve on the Board of Vitality Biopharma,” Gov. Celeste said. “The company is led by a seasoned group of physicians, researchers and executives, and we are now witnessing dramatic shifts in the understanding and acceptance of how cannabis-based medicines can be used. Vitality is clearly positioned to be one of the most consequential pioneers of these breakthroughs."

In the past few months, Vitality Biopharma has made significant progress in its efforts to develop and commercialize cannabis therapeutics. The company has raised $8.5 million dollars in additional capital, more than doubled its full-time staff including additions to its executive leadership team and initiated a new line of business focused on use of cannabinoids for opioid reduction.

“Vitality is a bold and creative business, fueled by a unique team and understanding of both cannabinoid science and medicine,” commented CEO Robert Brooke. “Gov. Celeste’s appointment to our Board reflects both our aspiration and commitment to emerge as one of the country’s premier developers of breakthrough cannabis therapeutics and to commercialize them across the U.S. in a federally-compliant manner."

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