Ellex boosts scientific advisory board

Ellex Medical Lasers (ASX: ELX) has boosted its scientific advisory board with the appointment Prof John Marshall, an international expert in ophthalmologic lasers, and Peter Falzon, the former director of business development at US-based laser device company Lumenis.

Marshall, who will chair the board, is the Frost Professor of Ophthalmology at St Thomas's Hospital in London. He was a co-inventor of the world's first diode laser used for ophthalmology as well as the Excimer laser refractive surgery which formed part of a patent portfolio for Summit Technology, which recently sold to Alcon for $US960m.

His current research interests focus on the treatment of a range of retinal diseases and retinal imaging. Over the course of his career, he has published more than 300 papers.

"Basically he is one of the top five researchers in the world in the application of lasers in ophthalmology," said Ellex managing director Peter Rowland.

Rowland said that the appointment of Marshall to the SAB would allow the company to stay in touch with current research into lasers and laser techniques.

"It's about keeping abreast of what is happening in the world," said Rowland. He said that Marshall was extremely well networked in Europe and the US.

Falzon came to the board with a commercial perspective, said Rowland.

"He's a very well-rounded individual on both the business and the technical side," he said. Falzon's experience at Lumenis (formerly Coherent Medical) included heading up Coherent's ophthalmic division, and he has wide knowledge of the laser markets for ophthalmology.

Rowland said that the driving force behind appointing two internationally recognised experts to the SAB was the fact that more than 90 per cent of Ellex Medical's lasers were exported.

"It's important that we do stay current and do get the best possible advice on what's happening in the marketplace," he said. "It reflects tremendously on Ellex that these people are prepared to help us."