Metrion Biosciences Limited (“Metrion”), the specialist ion channel contract research and drug discovery company, today announced it has appointed Dr Barry Kenny and Dr Andrew Southan to its Board of Directors. The appointments have been made to strengthen the Company’s focus on commercial and business development capabilities.
Dr Kenny is Chief Business Officer of Heptares Therapeutics Ltd, now part of Sosei Group. He was previously Vice President, Drug Discovery at Takeda Cambridge, and Commercial Director at Paradigm Therapeutics. Dr Kenny co-founded Cambridge Drug Discovery (CDD) in 1997, and was Director of Business Development for BioFocus following its merger with CDD in 2001. Before this, Barry was at Pfizer Central Research, and spent eight years at Syntex Research Scotland, where he completed his PhD and post-doctoral studies.
Dr Southan joined Metrion as Head of Commercial Operations in October 2016, and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in April 2017. He has over 25 years of experience in ion channel research and development, starting his career at Wyeth Research (UK), followed by postdoctoral studies at Imperial College London. Dr Southan has also held leadership roles at CeNeS Pharmaceuticals and Ionix Pharmaceuticals, and spent 12 years expanding and leading the UK ion channel team for BioFocus and Charles River Laboratories.
Dr Barry Kenny commented: “I have been impressed by the calibre of the ion channel research being carried out at Metrion, and by the expertise of its team. The combination of a solid service business, passion for science, and the proven industry success of the founding team is creating tremendous opportunities for drug discovery, both within Metrion and for its clients and partners, and significant gains for investors.”
Dr Andy Southan said: “I welcome the opportunity to contribute further to the next phase of the Company’s growth. My immediate focus is the strategic expansion of Metrion’s CRO services into new territories, enhancing our business development and marketing activities, and establishing Metrion Biosciences as the partner of choice for ion channel drug discovery services.”
Dr Keith McCullagh, Non-Executive Chairman, Metrion Biosciences, said: “I am delighted to welcome both Barry and Andy to Metrion’s Board of Directors. Barry Kenny’s substantial experience of drug discovery deal-making will be of great value to Metrion as we continue to build our worldwide CRO and collaboration business. Andy’s dedication to Metrion’s client service and quality of operations has been a major factor in the growth of the business, and his promotion to the Board signals our determination to continue to be the highest quality supplier in our field.”