C4X Discovery Holdings PLC (LON:C4XD) has revealed that its chief executive, Clive Dix has been appointed as a member and deputy chair of the steering board of the UK Vaccine Taskforce.
The taskforce has been set up by the UK government’s chief scientific adviser, deputy chief medical officer, business secretary and health secretary to lead UK efforts to find and manufacture a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
READ: C4X Discovery boosts working capital with oversubscribed placing
The drug discovery firm said Dix’s appointment will not impact his day-to-day role as CEO.
In a statement, C4X chairman Eva-Lotta Allan said: "We are very proud that Clive has been appointed to this important and prestigious taskforce. COVID-19 has had such a devastating impact not only in the UK, but across the world. The development of a vaccine is vital to saving lives and enabling everyone to get back to normality. The taskforce has been assembled to bring together the brightest minds in the scientific industry to deliver a [coronavirus] vaccine that will be effective and accessible."
“Clive's rich and diverse experience, both as a scientist and from managing pharmaceutical companies, means he understands what is required to bring a product like this to market. This will be invaluable to the taskforce as it works quickly to find a solution to the [coronavirus] pandemic", the chairman added.
Shares in the group were 0.7% higher at 15.6p in early trading on Friday.