Firefly Neuroscience, an AI-Driven Brain Health Company, Appoints Healthcare-Industry Executive, David Johnson as Executive Chairman, Upon Closing of Its Merger Transaction with WaveDancer
14 May 2024 - 11:00PM
Firefly Neuroscience, Inc. (“Firefly”), a pioneering artificial
intelligence (“AI”) company developing innovative neuroscientific
solutions to improve outcomes for patients with mental illnesses
and neurological disorders, today announced the appointment of
David Johnson as its Executive Chairman upon closing of its planned
merger with WaveDancer, Inc. (“WaveDancer”) (NASDAQ: WAVD). Firefly
has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (as
amended, the “Merger Agreement”) with WaveDancer, which has been
approved by the stockholders of both companies and both companies
are working towards meeting the final closing conditions.
Jon Olsen, Chief Executive Officer of Firefly,
stated, “As we work towards the closing of our transaction with
WaveDancer, we are actively pursuing adding talented industry
professionals to our team. David brings to Firefly decades of
healthcare and public company experience that will be invaluable to
Firefly as we approach the next phase of our growth. On behalf of
the entire team and our board, we welcome David to the team and
look forward to working closing as we pioneer new approaches to
mental health solutions.”
David Johnson previously served as
Executive Chairman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enveric
Biosciences. Mr. Johnson formerly served on the board of directors
and as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Alliqua
BioMedical, Inc. from November 2012 until April 2019. Mr. Johnson
was formerly President of the ConvaTec Division of Bristol-Myers
Squibb, Inc. until 2008 when he orchestrated a sale of the division
from its pharmaceutical parent to Avista Capital Partners and
Nordic Capital in a deal valued at $4.1 billion. Concurrently, he
acquired and integrated the assets of Copenhagen-based Unomedical
to expand ConvaTec Inc.’s manufacturing and infrastructure into
Europe. From 2008 through 2012, Mr. Johnson served as the Chief
Executive Officer of ConvaTec Inc. Prior to his tenure with
ConvaTec Inc., Mr. Johnson held several senior positions in the
U.S., Europe and Canada with Zimmer Inc., Fisher Scientific, and
Baxter Corporation. He served as a member of ConvaTec Inc.’s board
of directors and the board of the Advanced Medical Technology
Association (AdvaMed), where he chaired the Global Wound Sector
Team for four years. Mr. Johnson received an Undergraduate Business
Degree in Marketing from the Northern Alberta Institute of
Technology in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, completed the INSEAD
Advanced Management Program in Fontainebleau, France, and is a
fellow of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Firefly believes that Mr. Johnson’s extensive experience in the
Life Sciences Industry, as well as his executive leadership
experience, make him an asset who can serve as a bridge between
Firefly’s board of directors and its executive officers.
Mr. Johnson commented, “Firefly is at the
forefront of advanced diagnostic and treatment approaches for
mental health. In my opinion, the company’s unique approach to
integrating medical technology with the power of AI and big data,
has the potential to dramatically change the approach of mental
health treatment in our country. I look forward to working with Jon
and the rest of the team at Firefly.”
About WaveDancerWaveDancer,
based in Fairfax, VA, has been servicing federal and commercial
customers since 1979. WaveDancer is in the business of developing
and maintaining information technology (“IT”) systems, modernizing
client information systems, and performing other IT-related
professional services to government and commercial
organizations. For more information, please visit
https://wavedancer.com/
About Firefly Firefly is a
medical technology and AI company developing and pioneering
innovative neuroscientific solutions that improve outcomes for
patients with mental illnesses and neurological disorders. The
Company has developed its FDA-510(k) cleared Brain Network
Analytics (“BNA”) software platform (the “BNA Platform”) and is
focused on advancing diagnostic and treatment approaches for people
suffering from mental illnesses and cognitive disorders, including
depression, dementia, anxiety disorders, concussions, and
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Over the last 15
years the Company has invested approximately $60 million to develop
its BNA software, compile a database of brain wave tests, gain
patent protection, and receive FDA approval to market and sell the
Platform. As a result, Firefly is now pursuing commercial launch of
the BNA Platform in multiple markets, including pharmaceutical
companies with drug research and clinical trial activities and
medical practitioners for use in their clinics.
The BNA Platform is a software as a medical
solution (SAMS) that was developed using artificial intelligence
and machine learning on Firefly’s extensive proprietary database of
standardized, high-definition longitudinal electroencephalograms
(EEGs) of over 17,000 patients representing twelve disorders, as
well as clinically normal patients. The BNA Platform, in
conjunction with an FDA-cleared EEG system, can provide clinicians
with comprehensive insights into brain function (cognition). These
insights can enhance a clinician’s ability to accurately diagnose
mental illnesses and cognitive disorders and to evaluate what
therapy and/or drug is best suited to optimize a patient’s
outcome.
Please
visit, https://fireflyneuro.com/, for more
information.
Forward-Looking
StatementsCertain statements in this press release and the
information incorporated herein by reference may constitute
“forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities
laws concerning WaveDancer, Firefly, the contemplated merger of
WaveDancer and Firefly (the “Merger”), and other matters. These
forward-looking statements include express or implied statements
relating to WaveDancer’s and Firefly’s management teams’
expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding
the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections,
forecasts or other characterizations of future events or
circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are
forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,”
“contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,”
“intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,”
“predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar
expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the
absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not
forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and
their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future
developments affecting WaveDancer, Firefly or the Merger will be
those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements
involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond
WaveDancer’s or Firefly’s control) or other assumptions that may
cause actual results or performance to be materially different from
those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
risk that the conditions to the closing of the Merger are not
satisfied, including the failure to obtain stockholder approval for
the transaction; uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation
of the Merger and the ability of each of WaveDancer and Firefly to
consummate the Merger; risks related to WaveDancer’s continued
listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market until closing of the Merger;
risks related to WaveDancer’s and Firefly’s ability to correctly
estimate their respective operating expenses and expenses
associated with the Merger, as well as uncertainties regarding the
impact any delay in the closing would have on the anticipated cash
resources of the combined company upon closing and other events and
unanticipated spending and costs that could reduce the combined
company’s cash resources; the occurrence of any event, change or
other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the
termination of the Merger Agreement; the effect of the announcement
or pendency of the Merger on WaveDancer’s or Firefly’s business
relationships, operating results and business generally; costs
related to the Merger; the outcome of any legal proceedings that
may be instituted against WaveDancer, Firefly or any of their
respective directors or officers related to the Merger Agreement or
the Mergers contemplated thereby; the ability of WaveDancer or
Firefly to protect their respective intellectual property rights;
competitive responses to the Merger; unexpected costs, charges or
expenses resulting from the Merger; potential adverse reactions or
changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement
or completion of the Merger; legislative, regulatory, political and
economic developments; and those factors described under the
heading “Risk Factors” in the WaveDancer’s most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”), as well as discussions of potential risks,
uncertainties, and other important factors included in later
filings, including any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current
Reports on Form 8-K, and those factors included under the heading
“Risk Factors” in the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by
WaveDancer with the SEC, as amended. Should one or more of these
risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of WaveDancer’s
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material
respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.
It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks.
Forward-looking statements included in this press release only
speak as of the date they are made, and neither WaveDancer nor
Firefly undertakes any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as may be required under
applicable securities laws.
Investor ContactKCSA Strategic
CommunicationsValter Pinto, Managing DirectorPH: (212)
896-1254Valter@KCSA.com
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