Key appointments strengthen leadership team in drug R&D innovation
Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC), a national leader in advancing drug R&D, has enhanced its executive leadership with two strategic appointments: Dr Francesca Sadler as Chief Commercial Offi cer and Dr Mike Strange as Managing Director.
Dr Francesca Sadler joins MDC as Chief Commercial Offi cer, bringing over 20 years of experience in commercialising high-quality scientifi c services across both UK and international markets. In her role, she will oversee MDC’s Communications, Commercial, and Business Development teams, focusing on strengthening MDC’s external presence and expanding its commercial activities, including managing its investment portfolio.
Dr Sadler expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity: “Innovation is at the core of MDC’s ethos, and I look forward to working with its talented team to co-develop and execute an ambitious strategy for FY25/26 and beyond, building on the momentum MDC has already established.”
In a further strategic move, MDC has appointed its fi rst Managing Director, Dr Mike Strange, who will take on the role in February. Mike will provide leadership and drive the execution of MDC’s business strategies, helping to amplify the organisation’s impact in the life sciences sector.
Dr Strange brings extensive life sciences leadership experience, having previously led industry partnerships at GSK, including the Tres Cantos Open Lab and the Africa Non-Communicable Diseases Open Lab. In his role at LifeArc as Head of Global Health, he played a key part in designing and launching the pioneering PACE collaborative R&D programme with MDC.
“I’m thrilled to join MDC at such a pivotal moment for the sector,” said Dr Strange. “The organisation’s ambition and values resonate deeply with me, and I look forward to working with the team to drive meaningful impact in drug discovery.”
MDC has supported over 300 companies, helping them secure over £1.2 billion in R&D investment, driving economic growth, and advancing drug discovery to improve patient outcomes.
Dr Mike Strange. Dr Francesca Sadler.
Professor Chris Molloy, CEO of MDC, welcomed the new leadership, saying: “We are delighted to have Francesca and Mike on board, with their deep expertise and commitment to advancing the sector. Their leadership will be instrumental as we continue our work at the forefront of drug R&D, delivering results for the scientifi c community and patients alike.”
More information online:
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Strategic acquisition expands biospecimen portfolio
Europa Biosite has announced the acquisition of AMSBIO, a leading supplier of life science products and services specialising in biospecimens, stem cell research, 3D cell culture, glycobiology, and molecular biology. Based in Oxford, UK, with offi ces in the USA and the Netherlands, AMSBIO serves researchers across Europe and North America.
This strategic acquisition strengthens Europa Biosite’s position in three key growth areas: biospecimens, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine. It also enhances the company’s footprint in the signifi cant US market.
By combining AMSBIO’s comprehensive biorepository of human and animal biospecimens with Research Donors’ human blood biospecimen services, Europa Biosite signifi cantly expands its biospecimen portfolio, enabling it to meet a wider range of research demands.
Alex Sim, Founder and CEO of AMSBIO said: “We were in dialogue with several potential buyers and selected Europa Biosite due to it
being the strongest partner to continue the growth and development of the company I founded 37 years ago. Europa Biosite has proven itself to be a leader within our industry, and we are eager to continue this journey together.”
Sune Schmolker, CEO of Europa Biosite said: “I am immensely proud to lead Europa Biosite in bringing together best-in-class life science companies with our mission to raise the standard of life science distribution. We look forward to welcoming AMSBIO’s colleagues to Europa Biosite and Alex Sim to Europa Biosite’s Group Leadership Team.”
The acquisition marks an important milestone in Europa Biosite’s high growth journey with a fi ve-fold increase in sales over the last 5 years.
The fi nancial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. More information online:
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The AMSBIO UK team with (in front row) Sune Schmølker, CEO of Europa Biosite, and Alex Sim, CEO of AMSBIO.
Global initiative expands funding to combat antifungal drug resistance
The University of Exeter has launched a new round of funding to tackle the growing global challenge of fungal antimicrobial resistance (fAMR). The FAILSAFE project (Fungal AMR Innovations for LMICs: Solutions and Access For Everyone) is now inviting applications for its second phase, supporting innovative solutions to counteract antifungal drug resistance.
FAILSAFE, a pioneering initiative addressing fAMR, promotes global research efforts to combat the increasing resistance of fungal infections affecting humans, animals, and plants. Since its inception, the project has allocated over £1.7 million in grants to 78 researchers across 13 countries, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the impact of antifungal resistance is most severe.
Funded through the UK Government’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), FAILSAFE is delivered in partnership with the University of Exeter’s MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM). The Centre is dedicated to advancing research that improves
the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of fungal diseases worldwide.
Fungal infections pose a signifi cant threat to human health and global food security. Drug-resistant fungal pathogens endanger vulnerable populations, including children with leukemia and individuals with weakened immune systems, while also jeopardising wildlife and essential crops. Despite causing as many deaths annually as tuberculosis or malaria, fungal diseases remain under- researched, and treatment options are severely limited. The rise of fAMR in environmental and clinical settings further compounds this critical issue, necessitating urgent and coordinated global action.
Professor Elaine Bignell, Co-Director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter and Co-Lead of the FAILSAFE project, emphasised the importance of continued investment in fAMR research: “The launch of this second funding round is an opportunity to expand the FAILSAFE initiative and support a global network of researchers dedicated to tackling antifungal drug resistance. The breadth and quality of the projects funded so far
highlight both the urgent need and the vast potential for innovation in this fi eld, particularly in regions where the impact is most severe.”
The latest funding call invites researchers worldwide to submit proposals focused on developing groundbreaking solutions to mitigate the effects of fAMR. Priority will be given to projects that incorporate One Health approaches, create accessible and affordable innovations for LMICs, and foster international collaborations across
academia, industry, and government.
Proposals that align with or use additional funding from other global donors are also encouraged.
Applications are now open, with full guidance available. The deadline for submissions is 21st April 2025, and researchers are urged to apply promptly to contribute to this vital global effort against antifungal drug resistance.
More information online:
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