9 Jun 2014 07:00
Horizon Discovery Strengthens Board with Appointment of Dr Susan Galbraith and Susan Searle as Non-Executive Directors
Cambridge, UK, 9 June 2014: Horizon Discovery™ Group plc (LSE: HZD) ("Horizon" or "the Company"), the international life science company supplying research tools to organisations engaged in genomics research and the development of personalised medicines, today announces the appointment of Dr. Susan Galbraith, Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology Innovative Medicines at AstraZeneca, and Susan Searle, co-founder and ex-CEO of Imperial Innovations Group plc, as Non-Executive Directors on the Company's Board. Both join Horizon with immediate effect.
Dr. Susan Galbraith trained as a clinical oncologist, after studying medicine at Manchester and Cambridge Universities, and joins with over 20 years' combined academic and industry experience. Susan was previously at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where she was Vice President of Oncology and Clinical Biomarkers from 2008 to 2010. In her roles at both Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, Susan has successfully developed and delivered strategies for the oncology and biomarker groups, resulting in increased success rates, enhanced scientific reputation and high value collaborations. She has also delivered major reorganisations, redesigned governance processes, and contributed to discussions on drug and diagnostic development with regulatory agencies in North America and Europe.
Susan Searle has over 20 years' commercial experience as an entrepreneur and innovator. She co-founded Imperial Innovations Group plc, now one of the world's leading technology venture investment businesses, leading as CEO from 2002 to 2013. During this time the company invested over £120m which included several bioscience companies: Abingdon Health, Circassia, CellMedica, Psioxus and Respivert. Susan has held non-executive director positions for a range of technology, engineering and healthcare companies. Susan also sits on the advisory board for the Technology Strategy Board's Emerging Technologies group, which defines and advises on emerging areas of technology; is a non-executive director and chair of the remuneration committee for Benchmark Holdings plc, an AIM listed agricultural biotechnology business; sits on the board and audit, risk and nominations committee of the QinetiQ Group plc, an engineering and technology services FTSE 250 company; and is a trustee of Fight for Sight, a charity that funds eye research.
Dr. Darrin Disley, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Discovery Group, commented: "We are delighted that both Susan Galbraith and Susan Searle have agreed to join Horizon's Board of Directors. Both have established highly successful careers in their chosen fields and also have proven leadership and advisory success. We believe each will be an invaluable asset to Horizon, and look forward to benefitting from their counsel."
Dr. Susan Galbraith said: "Horizon Discovery is a leading light in the UK biotech industry. I am excited to join the Board at this pivotal time in the Company's development."
Susan Searle added: "Horizon is an excellent company with a great track-record of success and a differentiated technology platform. I am pleased to be joining the Board of Directors, and look forward to working with the team during this next stage of the Company's growth."
Dr. Ian Gilham, Chairman of Horizon's Board of Directors, commented: "I would like to welcome Susan and Susan to the Board of Horizon and am delighted that two such outstanding and distinguished business leaders are joining us to help guide the next stage of the growth of the company."
Susan Jane Searle (née Price), age 51
Previous Directorships (held in the past five years)
Brightstar Financial Management Limited
Evo Electric Limited
i2 India Ventures Private Limited
Imperial Innovations Group plc
Imperial College Company Maker Limited
Imperial Innovations Investments Limited
Imperial Innovations Limited
Macsco 21 Limited
Plaxica Ltd
Current Directorships
Benchmark Holdings plc
British Eye Research Foundation (Fight for Sight) (Trustee)
QinetiQ Group plc
SS Businesses Limited
Susan Searle holds 4,000 ordinary shares in the Company within a SIPP.
Susan Searle was a director of Adaptive Profiling Limited when it was put into a creditors' voluntary liquidation in 2004.
Susan Mary Galbraith (née Wroe), age 48
Previous Directorships (held in the past five years)
n/a
Current Directorships
n/a
There are no other disclosures required in relation to Rule 17 or paragraph (g) of Schedule 2 of the AIM Rules for Companies.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Contacts:
Horizon Discovery Group plc
Dr Darrin M Disley, Chief Executive Officer
Richard Vellacott, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Operations
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 655 580
Consilium Strategic Communications (Financial Media and Investor Relations)
Amber Bielecka / Mary-Jane Elliott / Jessica Hodgson / Matthew Neal
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5701
Email: horizon@consilium-comms.com
Zyme Communications (Trade and Regional Media)
Katie Odgaard
Tel: +44 (0)7787 502 947
Email: katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (NOMAD)
Corporate Finance: Freddy Crossley / Duncan Monteith / Fred Walsh
Broking: Tom Salvesen/ Adam Pollock
Tel: +44 20 7886 2500
About Horizon Discovery Group plc
Horizon is a revenue-generating life science company supplying research tools to organisations engaged in genomics research and the development of personalised medicines. Horizon has a diverse and international customer base approaching 800 organisations, including major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies as well as leading academic research centers. The Company supplies its products and services into multiple markets, estimated to total in excess of £29 billion by 2015.
Horizon's core capabilities are built around its proprietary translational genomics platform, GENESIS™, a high-precision and flexible suite of gene editing tools able to alter almost any endogenous gene sequence of human or mammalian cell-lines. Horizon has applied GENESIS™ to create over 550 X-MAN™ cell lines, accurately modeling the disease-causing mutations found in genetically based diseases. These 'patients-in-a-test-tube' are being used by customers to identify the effect of individual or compound genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, which may lead to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently available and future drug treatments.
In addition, Horizon provides GENASSIST™ CRISPR and rAAV gene editing tools, custom cell line generation services for research and bioproduction applications, quantitative molecular reference standards, contract research and custom screening services, haploid cell lines (through Horizon's partner Haplogen), and custom shRNA development services and off-the-shelf validated shRNA (through Horizon's partner Sirion).
Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under the ticker "HZD", for further information please visit: www.horizondiscovery.com
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