Innovative UK phage biotechnology company, Fixed Phage, has appointed Dr Neil Clelland as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The company has also announced its new Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Executive Chairman. These appointments strengthen the top management team, leading the company as it drives forward its new phase of growth and development.
Dr Clelland, formerly the business’s Commercial Director, takes over from outgoing CEO, David Browning, who has stepped down after almost four years in the role. Dr Clelland is an accomplished commercial professional with experience in business development, deal structure and company creation, with a strong track record in identifying and developing innovative commercial opportunities within complex scientific output and environments.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Clelland said: “I am extremely excited to have taken up this position and look forward to building on David’s legacy to take Fixed Phage to even greater heights. The phage industry is thriving and there is so much potential in this company and the talents we have here to raise the bar in providing innovative solutions for human and animal health.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to David (Browning) for his enormous contribution to the company. He has steered the business through some challenging times during the recent Covid-19 pandemic and put it in a position where we can capitalise on the great opportunities that lie ahead,” added Dr Clelland.
The company, based in Glasgow, has also appointed Chris Bindon – formerly Director of Technical Operations – as its new COO, and Simon Hunt becomes Executive Chairman, from Chairman.
Mr Bindon, who is trained in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has 25 years’ experience with blue-chip pharmaceuticals and consumer healthcare companies and has been with Fixed Phage for more than 2 years. He was responsible for the company’s operational development and growth, supporting the execution of short-term and long-term goals and providing strong leadership in line with the company’s vision and mission.
Mr Hunt, who joined Fixed Phage as Chairman in January 2022, is an industry veteran with extensive experience in corporate law and venture capital in both early- and late-stage companies. He is skilled especially in creating and realising long-term value through business building, mergers and acquisitions and fundraising.
The changes to the top team come as the company looks to further build on its position, with awareness of the great contribution phages can make to addressing the problem of antimicrobial resistance growing. There is significant interest from government, regulators and the industry in phage therapy and its tremendous potential in the fight against microbial threats that pose risks to human health, animal health and agricultural production.
“There is strong investor interest in companies such as Fixed Phage, as we develop innovative solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance, and improve the UK life sciences sector in general. The time could not be better for phage – we can offer the right solutions at the right time and impact the landscape of health solutions in the long run,” said Mr Hunt.
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Notes to Editors:
Fixed Phage is a biotechnology company developing and commercialising unique, proprietary, anti-infective technologies based on bacteriophage immobilisation and stabilisation. It is developing a well-proven and comprehensively patented surface modification technology, that irreversibly attaches and stabilises bacteriophage on a wide range of carrier materials, thereby creating biologically active interventions.
Bacteriophages are natural antibiotics that can target and kill problem bacteria while leaving the beneficial bacteria intact. They are biodegradable and made from renewable materials.
Fixed Phage’s technology can be applied across a number of industries including Food Freshness, Aquaculture as well as Animal and Human Health & Wellbeing.
For more information: www.fixed-phage.com | Email: info@fixed-phage.com
