Prolacta Bioscience Names Scott Elster As CEO
RedOrbit
Oct 18, 2006
By
Prolacta Bioscience, a privately held company that provides specialty formulations of human milk for the immunological and nutritional needs of premature and critically ill infants, announced today that it has named Scott Elster as its CEO. In this role, Mr. Elster will lead all aspects of the organization.
Mr. Elster has over 20 years experience in the biosciences and financial sectors. His experience encompasses planning, finance and strategy development, supply chain, and operations at the Bioscience Division of Baxter Healthcare, Clinical Micro Sensors (a Motorola Company), and Deloitte and Touche. At Baxter, Mr. Elster's management work was focused directly on plasma products worldwide. At Clinical Micro Sensors, Mr. Elster successfully prepared operations for the company's first commercial launch, including FDA approval of the manufacturing facility. Mr. Elster also serves on the board of directors and is past chairman of the board for Monrovia Growers.
"We are extremely pleased to have attracted an executive of Mr. Elster's caliber to lead Prolacta," said Prolacta co-founder and president Elena Medo, and Chief Science Officer Dr. Martin Lee. "His experience at Baxter Bioscience will be extremely valuable as we complete our clinical trials and establish Prolacta formulas as the standard of care for feeding premature and critically ill infants."
Prolacta specializes in the nutritional needs of underweight, premature, and critically ill babies, focused on the first 30 days of life. Infants born weighing less than five pounds, eight ounces (2,500 grams) are considered low birth weight, and are at increased risk of serious health problems, lasting disabilities, and even death. About one in every 13 babies in the United States is born with low birth weight, and nationwide, approximately 500,000 babies are born prematurely each year, which is equal to nearly 12% of all U.S. births. The rate of preterm birth has increased 27 percent between 1982 and 2002, from 9.4 percent to 11.9 percent.
"I am looking forward to leading an organization that is committed to the well being of critically ill babies," said Mr. Elster. "Being a part of Prolacta means that I am helping to make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of the most vulnerable infants, through innovative products world class research."
Prolacta's products, which are made of human milk, contain crucial antibodies from the mother that can help the baby resist infections and serious diseases, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, bacterial meningitis, and ear infections. Human milk has been shown in clinical research studies to decrease the incidence of these conditions. The antibodies found in human milk, as well as other protective molecules are not present in other forms of milk, such as cow milk.
About Prolacta
Prolacta Bioscience (www.prolacta.com) is a life science company dedicated to the application of science relating to human milk - one of nature's most complex and valuable substances. Our mission is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of the most vulnerable infants through world class research and innovative products. Prolacta offers a suite of specialty formulations of human milk for the nutritional and immunological needs of premature and critically ill infants. The company operates a pharmaceutical grade processing plant and has designed and patented processes unique to the science of human milk. Prolacta is committed to supporting research in the areas of human milk and premature infant nutrition in order to assist health care professionals in providing the best possible care for the most fragile babies.
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