This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
entrepreneurs 23


Pictures by Angus Thomas


for different applications, such as drinks and supplements. I learned a lot about the technical issues of working with plants and after a few years I sold up and came back to the UK. I went into property development, renovating run-down buildings, which was very successful, but almost as a hobby, I still wanted to do something with TCM.


I started a small company importing herbs from China for doctors and acupuncturists and then partnered up with a well-known TCM practitioner from the Cotswolds. As the business grew, I became more and more interested in the concept. I knew from my own experiences that in the right trained hands TCM can be very beneficial, but I could also see there was a lot missing in terms of quality control and science.


How did the business develop? I started Phynova with the idea of using Chinese


medicinal plants as a discovery engine for the development of new drugs. By taking traditional Chinese knowledge and applying modern biotech techniques and science, we have been able to discover new compounds and treatments for a variety of medical conditions. I teamed up with Chinese scientists – who still work with me today – who have great expertise in working with medicinal plants and phytochemistry. It’s something Phynova has become very good at and now we collaborate with companies around the world.


We’re focused on what active compounds you can extract from these plants and, given there are about 10,000 plants with a long history of use in Chinese medicine, it is an excellent source of new leads. We’ve been relatively successful in developing several products, the latest of which is a new cold and flu relief remedy currently awaiting regulatory approval that we have developed jointly with a Chinese pharmaceutical company.


What drives you?


To develop products which will be beneficial to as many people as possible.


What has been your greatest achievement?


A pretty big milestone was gaining UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval for our Phynova Joint and Muscle Relief tablets as the first Chinese medicine to be licensed in the UK. It took three and a half years and a lot of people didn’t ever believe it would happen. It’s now available online and from this month will be in Holland & Barrett stores.


Probably the most pleasure, however, is when we receive letters from people saying how much they have been helped by one of our products - that’s a really great feeling.


What’s the secret of your success?


I have a real determination to succeed and I’m also a very stubborn and persistent


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – SEPTEMBER 2015


person. My father was an executive with a large global business and I think wanting to be an entrepreneur was probably in some ways a reaction to what I didn’t like about big companies. However, I do think entrepreneurs are born with genes that encourage them to explore different ways of doing things and an ability to cope with risk.


What’s your next goal?


Our immediate goal is to make the most of our collaboration with our Chinese partner, Xiangxue Pharmaceuticals. We’ve recently filed a second application with the MHRA for a cold and flu medicine that Xiangxue manufactures and sells in China. We hope to get this product approved as soon as possible and continue to register several more OTC products as well.


Are you involved in any community projects?


When my son was younger he played football for the Steeple Aston and Barton Football Club where I was chairman for a few years. During that period I worked with other dedicated dads and we raised £300,000 of grant funding to rebuild the pitch and the clubhouse. With two sons and two daughters though, I don’t find time for much else other than trying to keep track of them.


What do you do on your time off?


I spend a lot of time doing intellectual, mental things, so at weekends I enjoy something more physical and find working in the garden very relaxing. Growing up I was very fond of baseball but now I’ve become very interested in cricket – they’re both good games if you like statistics.


Your final word


It’s been a long journey but now the benefits of the products that Phynova has developed from plants used in TCM are finally proving to be effective and that’s very satisfying.


Details: www.phynova.com www.businessmag.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68