Providing fundraising and drug discovery expertise.
20 years experience leading drug discovery programs.
Biotech founder, CEO and board director.
Early stage fundraising
Since 2010, I have been raising capital for Biotechs from VC firms, high net worth individuals (HNWI) and non-dilutive grants.
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I founded Peptinnovate Ltd in 2011 which was initially financed through HNWI equity investment and an Innovate UK grant. I obtained a further 5 grants totaling £2m which leveraged additional equity investments from UK, European and Australian investors, taking the lead asset to phase 1 clinical studies.
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Subsequently I have successfully obtained 6 innovate UK grants for Procarta Biosystems and Metrion Biosciences and supported the raising of the matching equity from Venture Capital.
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Preparing and delivering investment pitches is a particular passion.
Drug discovery expertise
The roots of new medicines are embedded in the lead optimisation process leading to candidate selection. For 12 years, I worked at the cutting edge of drug discovery in GSK medicinal chemistry contributing to numerous small molecule candidates which progressed to clinical studies.
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Subsequently, I have engaged in further drug discovery efforts with peptides (Peptinnovate) and oligonucleotides (Procarta Biosystems).
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In all cases, the clinical indication and commercial positioning of molecules are at the forefront of all project planning.
Medicinal Chemistry
From over 20 years as a medicinal chemist, first in GSK for 12 years and subsequently in a number of biotechs, I have come across a great number of lead optimisation issues. I am author on >20 patent applications.
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My medicinal chemistry experience spans multiple small molecule neuroscience programs at GSK, balancing brain exposures with potency and PK, to peptides in Peptinnovate and oligonucleotides in Procarta.
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Like the rings of the oak tree, each year signifies different issues and challenges which create experience and expertise that can be readily applied to new programs.