Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake to Join the Cellphire Board of...( Peake to provide guidance and directi...)

Peake to provide guidance and direction regarding military needs, clinical uses and funding sources

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellphire, Inc., a biotechnology company located in Rockville, Md., announced today that former Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, James Peake, MD, has joined its board of directors.

"I am excited about the potential of Thrombosomes(R) to save lives on the battlefield and in emergency rooms throughout the US. I am eager to contribute to the effort to conduct appropriate clinical trials to evaluate and ultimately field this product," said Dr. Peake.

Cellphire is committed to developing a freeze-dried platelet product, Thrombosomes(R), which could potentially be effective in stopping uncontrollable bleeding on the battlefield or in trauma. Platelets can only be stored for 5 days and cannot be provided to combat zones, although in-the-field harvesting is being performed. Cellphire's product is expected to have a 12 month shelf life and be immediately available for infusion after adding sterile water.

"We are excited about the addition of Dr. Peake to the Cellphire Board," said Cellphire President Mike Fitzpatrick. "With his incomparable experience and tireless commitment to providing the best possible care for the active duty uniformed services and veterans, we feel sure his contributions will help us achieve our goal."

Dr. Peake is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General; he was selected as the U.S. Army Surgeon General. After retirement from the Army he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Project Hope and most recently as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A native of St. Louis and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Peake attended medical school after serving in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, where he was awarded the Silver Star
'/>"/>