Biofusion plc (AIM: BFN) (“Biofusion”), the university IP commercialisation company that turns world class research into business, today announces that Asterion Limited (“Asterion”) has appointed Dr Kevin Bryett as Chairman and Dr Raymond Barlow as Chief Executive Officer to replace David Catton and Dr Peter Grant. Dr Peter Grant will remain on Asterion’s Board as a non-Executive Director. These Board changes have taken place with immediate effect.
Asterion is a spin-out company from Biofusion’s University of Sheffield agreement that has developed a range of novel man-made hormones that have the ability to either mimic or block the actions of the body’s natural hormones to provide new therapies for metabolic, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Dr Kevin Bryett brings to the role of Chairman more than 20 years of experience from within the global pharmaceutical sector. Until 2006 he was Vice President of Policy, Communications & Corporate Affairs at Chiron Vaccines, the fifth largest vaccine producer in the world. Prior to this he was Vice President of Global Commercial Operations and has held senior roles at Aventis Pasteur MSD, Merieux UK and France, Wellcome PLC and Sterling Winthrop Group.
Dr Raymond Barlow joins Asterion with more than 15 years of business and corporate development experience in international pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies. His previous roles include Vice President of Business Development of Emergent BioSolutions, Director of Business Development at Microscience Holdings and Business Director for the Central/Eastern Europe and Russia region with AstraZeneca. Ray holds a PhD in Chemistry from Manchester University and an MBA from Manchester Business School.
Commenting on this announcement, David Baynes, Chief Executive Officer of Biofusion, said: “I would like to thank Peter and David for their significant contribution to Asterion since the company’s inception. They have advanced the business from an embryonic spin-out company to a growing biotechnology company with world renowned life science research capabilities and intellectual property. I am pleased that Peter will continue to guide Asterion as a non-Executive Director.
We are delighted that Kevin and Raymond have joined the Board of Asterion. Kevin has an excellent track record at a senior management level within major pharmaceutical companies and similarly Raymond has significant business and corporate development experience within the sector. The skills they both bring to the Company will be crucial as Asterion continues to grow and progress its range of drugs through clinical trials.”