Nuformix PLC (LON:NFX), a pharmaceutical development company targeting unmet medical needs in fibrosis and oncology via drug repurposing, has appointed Dr Alastair Riddell as non-executive chairman.
Simultaneously, Dr Karl Keegan, a non-executive director and Dr Joanne Holland, chief scientific officer, have resigned.
Dr Riddell has over 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical, life science and biotech industries, with 20 years as a board director.
After beginning his career as a medical doctor in hospital and general practice, he moved into clinical development for Lederle (now Pfizer) and Centocor (now J&J) and then sales and marketing for Amersham International (now GE Healthcare).
This led to 12 years as chief executive for three UK biotech companies, Pharmagene, Paradigm Therapeutics and Stem Cell Sciences, where he led significant fundraises including an IPO on the LSE main list and trade sales to Takeda in Japan and Stem Cells Inc. in the US.
He has also had several roles in UK government initiatives including assessing projects for Innovate UK funding.
Keegan has resigned from the board with immediate effect to focus on his other executive role that he has recently taken on, the company said, while Holland will resign as a director and an employee of Nuformix from the end of May 2021 to pursue other opportunities. She will continue as a consultant to Nuformix to advise, in particular, on solid form science and patenting.
"I would like to welcome Alastair to the Board of Nuformix and look forward to working with him,” said Dr Anne Brindley, chief executive of Nuformix.