ASTRONAUT DAVE WILLIAMS ANNOUNCED AS CEO OF LEAP BIOSYSTEMS

New leadership and expertise to help drive Canadian space medicine company forward

Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 6th, 2019 – The founders of Leap Biosystems Inc. are pleased to announce Canadian astronaut Dr. Dave Williams as the newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. The renowned physician, record-setting astronaut, aquanaut, author and entrepreneur is thrilled to bring his unique skills to lead this new company in creating innovations for healthcare, everywhere. At Leap, the team is passionate about space exploration, medicine and humanity. The team is committed to change lives, systems and mindsets to provide the best medical care whatever the environment. 

“The corporate mission to combine clinical medicine with innovation and disruptive technologies for human space exploration while bringing these technologies back to provide cutting edge medical care on Earth is something I am deeply passionate about,” Williams said. “I’m excited to transition from being one of the founders to becoming CEO at a time of exponential corporate growth. We are thrilled to be graduates of the inaugural space stream of the Creative Destruction Lab designed to create new Canadian commercial opportunities in the space sector. We want to help increase Canadian involvement in the rapidly growing global space sector in which today’s 350 billion-dollar global market is estimated to become over 1.1 trillion dollars within twenty years.”

Former Leap CEO Nathalie Sleno is excited with the transition, “We came together as a group of like-minded individuals to form this unique team of experts and we are very excited to have Dr. Williams join us as Chief Executive Officer. We’re thrilled to see Leap join the historical biomedical innovators that develop technologies for space that transform care on earth. Dr. Williams’ expertise, knowledge, passion and vision will no doubt drive Leap to this success.”

Mac Evans, former President of the Canadian Space Agency shares that excitement “Leap Biosystems Inc. is developing technologies that will help Canada become a world leader in biomedical systems critical for long duration human space exploration.  These technologies will also help deliver much needed health care to remote and rural communities here on Earth. I am delighted that Dave Williams has agreed to become the Company’s first full time CEO. Dave has the unique skills and experiences needed to lead the Company as it proceeds to implement its business plan.”

Williams earned his medical degree from McGill University and was the Director of the Department of Emergency Services at Sunnybrook when he became a Canadian astronaut. Between his two spaceflights he was the Director of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Deputy Associate Administrator for Crew Health and Safety at NASA Headquarters in Washington. He retired from the Canadian Space Agency in 2008 and spent three years at McMaster University as the Director of the McMaster Centre for Medical Robotics before becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket. He retired from the hospital in 2017 to consult in the aerospace and medical sectors, continue speaking with the National Speaker’s Bureau and write best-selling books about his experiences.

Williams commented, “The six founders, eight associates and advisors have a breadth of expertise that will enable Leap Biosystems Inc. to lead in the development of new augmented reality technologies, AI enhanced diagnostic assist devices and other technologies to enhance medical autonomy in delivering high quality care everywhere. As Leap Biosystems Inc. expands its role in technology development, it will continue to provide consultative services in space medicine.”

“It is appropriate that fifty years after humans first set foot on the Moon, humans are getting ready to go back. Canada will be part of the Lunar Gateway program and our team wants to provide those astronauts with new virtual care, augmented reality technologies to maintain their health and enhance their medical autonomy,” Williams said. “We’re thrilled that the same technologies will benefit remote medical care in Canada. From earth to space and back to earth, these are the technologies that will transform the future of healthcare.”