Lincoln, MA & Montreal, QC December 19, 2011 – MSBi Valorisation (MSBiV), the Montreal, Canada based early stage accelerator, is pleased to announce that Maria Shepherd has joined the MSBiV investment committee. In her role, Ms. Shepherd will assist MSBiV in assessing promising new technologies to provide capital and support for projects and emerging companies.

“We are delighted to have Maria Shepherd join the MSBiV Investment Board”, said Didier Leconte, President and General Manager of MSBiV. “Maria has extensive experience creating value in her roles in the medical device industry and as a due diligence advisor for medical opportunities that need outside assistance. Her insights and accomplishments will serve MSBiV and its portfolio of companies well.”

Ms. Shepherd is the founder of Data Decision Group, a strategy consulting firm working exclusively in the life sciences space performing medical marketing strategic analysis, traditional medical market research, due diligence and M&A support and providing marketing services for the medical device, biotech and diagnostics industries. Prior to that she was Vice President of Marketing for Oridion Medical, Director of Marketing for Philips Medical, and Group Marketing Manager for Boston Scientific. She has also served on the corporate board of the American Patient Safety Foundation.

At Oridion, a rapidly growing medical device firm, Maria was part of a team that led a successful company turnaround. She brought Oridion to record sales/ profitability through major shifts in brand strategy, product design, marketing communications, and clinical education, and is known for her ability to quickly diagnose growth impediments and apply solutions supported by data.

About MSBi Valorisation

MSBi Valorisation provides its academic partners and affiliated entities, the financial resources and complementary expertise needed to accelerate and facilitate the commercialization of high potential technologies. Partner institutions include McGill University, Université de Sherbrooke and Bishop’s University, as well as their affiliated hospitals, research institutes and technology transfer entities. MSBiV brings industry knowledge and relationships to the existing effort of bridging the gap between discoveries resulting from university research and the marketplace. 
For more information, please visit www.msbiv.com or follow MSBiV on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MSBiV

Media Contacts:

Jade De La Paz
Data Decision Group
Office: 617-548-9892
info@ddecisiongroup.com

Didier Leconte
MSBi Valorisation
Office: 514-982-2251 X 400
dleconte@msbiv.com