Dr Jamal Nasir, Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Jamal Nasir obtained  a PhD in genetics from Imperial College and undertook postdoctoral  research in Denmark and  Canada, through a series of prestigious fellowships including the European Community (EC), Bluma-Tischler, MRC (Canada) postdoctoral and MRC (Canada) Centennial fellowships.  In Canada, Dr. Nasir was rated third overall out of over 600 candidates for the MRC postdoctoral fellowship. Dr.  Nasir returned to the UK to take up a MRC Career Development Award at the University of Edinburgh before moving to Sheffield.  Dr. Nasir’s work has spanned a range of genetically determined neuropsychiatric disorders, including Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Rett syndrome, dystonia, Hurler’s syndrome, specific language impairment (SLI) and schizophrenia.  His findings have led to major patents and seminal publications in leading journals including Cell and Nature.

 

David Baynes, Director

David worked at Celsis International plc ("Celsis") from its incorporation to its flotation on the full list of the London Stock Exchange in July 1993, and was responsible for all elements of the company's finances during that period.

In August 1993, David co-founded Toad plc (now Toad Group plc) and was then responsible for taking the company from start-up to 4.2 (now Ofex), then AIM and ultimately the full list of the London Stock Exchange. During this time, David led four Class 1 transactions, two Class 2 transactions and a reverse takeover. In the year David left the company, it employed 350 staff, had a turnover of approximately £34 million and pre-tax profits in excess of £3 million per year.

David left Toad plc to join Whereonearth Limited, where he obtained extensive exposure to the venture capital market and was responsible for all aspects of the company's venture capital funding. Following this, David joined Codemasters Limited as Chief Financial Officer. David was responsible for all aspects of the company's finances and corporate finance activity.

 

Peter Grant, Director

Having obtained an honours degree in Biochemistry, Peter completed his PhD before joining Genzyme UK Limited ("Genzyme") as a Senior Research Scientist working within the clinical diagnostics division.

Following a move to Celltech from Genzyme, Peter was part of the start-up team at Enzymatix Limited ("Enzymatix"). During the next five years Enzymatix grew five independent research areas with Peter as the Head of Research and Development. Two of these areas were later spun-out to form Chiros Limited (later Chiroscience, now merged with Celltech plc) and Celsis, with Peter as a co-founder and Research and Development Director. Following venture capital funding rounds, Peter was an integral part of the team that successfully floated Celsis on the full list of the London Stock Exchange in July 1993. Peter gained significant experience in acquisitions, divestments and licensing through his role as Director of Business Development and Technology at Celsis. He is a non-executive director of Adjuvantix Limited, Asterion Limited, Diurnal Limited, CellTran Limited and part-time CEO of Asterion Limited, all of which are spin-outs from the University.

 

Stuart Gall, Director

Stuart has experience in both small company start-ups and public companies and specialises in marketing, communications and new business development. After starting work at British Airways plc, he was a founder member of The Promotions Partnership Limited, a marketing consultancy, which was sold to Omnicom Inc in 1993 and renamed Anvil Limited. In 1994, Stuart joined Toad plc (now Toad Group plc) as Head of Marketing and was involved in its 4.2 (now Ofex), AIM and full listing on the London Stock Exchange. During this time he was involved in number of Class 1 and Class 2 transactions and assumed responsibility for a number of senior positions within the company, including running the group’s retail operations, technical training and new business development.

Dr. Michael O'Neil, R&D Consultant

Michael O'Neill has more than 20 years experience of research management in the pharmaceutical industry, working for Merck, Laboratorios Almirall and Eli Lilly. Michael's career has given him an expert knowledge of neuroscience balanced with a strong grasp of strategic principals of drug development and the workings of the pharmaceutical industry.
Michael is an accomplished research leader with extensive program and portfolio management experience. He coaches and guides client companies through the process of partnering with larger pharma companies or investors.

Michael has authored over 80 papers, book chapters and abstracts and presented his work at major international scientific conferences. He has held an adjunct appointment at the University of Leeds and has supervised PhD students at Nottingham, Oxford and Sussex Universities. Michael has held an Honorary Visiting Senior Lecturership at the Institute of Psychiatry, London and currently holds a Visiting Fellowship at the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex. Michael also has a Diploma in Executive Coaching and Organizational Development.

 

Andrew Tingey - Genophrenix project manager

Andrew completed a PhD in Biochemistry at Leicester University in 1996, which involved pharma-sponsored work on DNA topoisomerases (a class of enzymes that are important targets for both anti-cancer and antiobiotic drugs). Andrew then moved to Reading University and completed a post-doctoral research position.  Andrew’s short academic research career resulted in the publication of several peer-reviewed papers.

After leaving academia Andrew spent several years in industry, mainly working in the areas of contract research, analysis and consultancy.  During this time, he established a number of successful businesses offering specialist DNA probe and genotyping services.  Andrew developed a number of strategic partnerships with global companies in the Food, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical sectors.

Andrew has spent the last 3 years working in University commercialisation, having lead the University of York’s technology transfer function in life sciences, and joined Biofusion at the beginning of 2007.  Andrew is responsible for the management and development of all pipeline life science opportunities from Sheffield University and has  negotiated a number of collaborative and licensing deals with leading life science companies, whilst managing the early commercial development of early stage technology opportunities.

An experienced R&D project manager, Andrew has assisted Genophrenix in organising and presenting data from its R&D program.