BioCity Nottingham appoints life sciences industry leader Dr John Brown to board

13 March 2012

BioCity Nottingham Ltd, which runs one of Europe’s largest bioscience business incubators, has appointed Dr John Brown CBE FRSE as a non-executive Director to its Board.

His arrival closely follows the launch of BioCity Scotland, and marks another step-change in the growth ambitions of the company.

Dr Brown brings extensive experience in the life sciences sector; he is currently Chairman of CXR Biosciences Ltd, and a non-executive Director of Vectura Group PLC. Dr Brown also plays a major role in public sector life sciences organisations. He chairs the Roslin Foundation, co-chairs the Life Sciences Industry Advisory Board for the Scottish Government and is a non-executive Director of the Technology Strategy Board. Dr Brown was appointed CBE for services to Science in June 2011.

Dr Brown has served as a Director of several private and public life science companies. Most recently he was Chairman of BTG plc and Axis-Shield plc. Early in his career Dr Brown spent five years with Glaxo Group Research where he published extensively on neuropeptide antagonists. Subsequently he worked in equity research, and in advising biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies, and investment banks.

In 1995 he joined Acambis PLC, a leading producer of vaccines to treat and prevent infectious diseases, and held the post of chief executive from 1997 to 2003. Under his leadership he took the company through public flotation to become one of the UK’s most successful, and profitable, biotechnology businesses.

Commenting on his appointment to the BioCity Nottingham board Dr Brown said, “I’m delighted to be working with the BioCity team. Emulating the successful BioCity model at BioCity Scotland is just the first step for a company with exceptional growth potential.’’

Dr Louis Nisbet, BioCity Chairman said, “We are delighted to welcome John to the Board of BioCity Nottingham Ltd. It will be immensely valuable to draw on his extensive experience as our organisation continues to grow as a leading provider of incubation facilities and services to start-up and fast growing life sciences companies. Few individuals have the depth and breadth of experience that he will bring to BioCity and to the companies we support.”

BioCity Nottingham: www.biocity.co.uk/