Scottish technology investment firm Frontier IP is to push forward plans to commercialise drugs developed at Dundee University following a key board appointment.
The Edinburgh-based firm yesterday said 35-year pharmaceuticals industry veteran Dr Campbell Wilson had joined its board with immediate effect.
Dr Wilson spent 17 years working in business development at AstraZeneca and was latterly an executive director in the giant’s central business development function, where he led on strategic collaborations and licensing activity across multiple platforms including cancer therapies.
He recently set up his own consultancy, and is chairman of the UK Pharmaceutical Licensing Group, a not-for-profit industry body representing around 200 members in Britain and with more than 1,000 affiliated groups globally, and is active on the European Pharma Licensing Council.
AIM-listed Frontier said Dr Wilson’s experience would be vital as it moved forward with plans to help commercialise drugs developed by Dundee University, following the signing of a collaboration agreement between the two parties last year.
Frontier’s investment portfolio includes ADUS Deep Ocean and Circa Connect which have ties to both Dundee and St Andrews universities and Dundee University affiliated Aridhia Informatics, Rapid Quality Systems GlycoBioChem, Kinetic Discovery, Tissue Repair Technologies and Ex Scientia.
Frontier chief executive Neil Crabb said the appointment of Dr Wilson, who is joining the board as Marcus Yeoman retires, was a major coup.
“Campbell has some 35 years’ experience in the global pharmaceutical industry, with experience in both scientific and business development roles at a senior level,” Mr Crabb said.
“His long and successful track record in negotiating and forming strategic collaborations and licensing agreements is directly relevant to our business and will be of particular significance as we progress our work with University of Dundee to establish a funding vehicle for its Drug Discovery Unit.”
Dr Wilson said he was delighted to be joining Frontier at a pivotal time for the group.
“I look forward to bringing my experience in both drug discovery and business development to the company and its university relationships,” he said.
“I hope to make a significant contribution to Frontier IP’s partnerships as we assist them in maximising the commercial value of the technologies they have created.”