News
Babraham BioConcepts announces key appointments
6 October 2006
Babraham BioConcepts Limited (“BioConcepts”), the early-stage life sciences investment company recently formed through a joint venture between Babraham BioScience Technologies Limited (“BBT”) and Avlar BioVentures Fund II LLP (“Avlar”), announced two key appointments to its board: a Chairman and a Chief Executive. Speaking at the Biotechnology Investment Forum at the Babraham Research Campus on Wednesday, Dr Andy Richards introduced BioConcepts’ newly appointed Chief Executive, Dr Catherine Beech, and announced the appointment of Sir Brian Richards CBE as Non-Executive Chairman.
Commenting on the appointments, Dr Catherine Beech said, “I am looking forward to taking up this new challenge at the head of BioConcepts. This is a tremendous opportunity to exploit the innovative IP generated both on the Babraham Research Campus and more extensively within the Greater Cambridge biotech community, and to create real value through the formation of successful biotech companies. I am delighted that Sir Brian has agreed to lead the Board. His vision, drive and experience for early stage biotech will be invaluable to the success of BioConcepts.”
Dr Catherine Beech was a founder and Director of Life Sciences at the Cambridge Gateway Fund (“Gateway”), a £35 million venture capital fund investing in early-stage life sciences and technology companies. Gateway recently announced a merger with Avlar, and Catherine retains responsibility for the management of Gateway’s life science portfolio. Catherine’s previous experience included 13 years in multi-national pharmaceutical companies, both in Europe and the USA, ultimately as European Medical Director at DuPont Pharmaceuticals. She has a broad range of expertise in drug discovery, drug development and clinical programmes, as well as considerable experience in commercialising life science technologies. Catherine is a director of Avlar BioVentures Limited and DanioLabs Limited, and sits on the DTI’s Technology Strategy Board.
Sir Brian Richards has a wealth of experience in developing and building some of Europe’s leading biotech companies. After 13 years of basic research at the Medical Research Council’s Biophysics Research Unit at Kings College, London and 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, he co-founded British Biotechnology Ltd in 1986 and served as Executive Chairman until 1994. He subsequently held Non-Executive Chairmanships or Directorships in several biopharmaceutical companies including Peptide Therapeutics (later Acambis plc), Oxford Biomedica plc and CeNeS Ltd. Currently Sir Brian chairs the Boards of Alizyme plc, Cozart plc, Lipoxen plc and MAN Mail (Guernsey) Ltd. Sir Brian was awarded a CBE in 1990 and a knighthood in 1997, both for services to the biotechnology industry.