Boyds launches recruitment drive following surge in growth
Turnover at leading pharmaceutical and biotech product development consultancy Boyds has surged by a record-breaking 25 percent as demand for its specialist services continues to grow.
The company, which was established 16 years ago by Professor Alan Boyd and supports the development of medicines for patient benefit, has already added seven regulatory and medical affairs experts to its team, and is now launching an even larger recruitment drive creating up to ten new roles to enhance its expertise, service demand for its services, and expand the business.
Boyds has partnered with UK specialist recruitment company CK Clinical to oversee this recruitment drive.
Turnover at Boyds has experienced year-on-year growth largely due to its established and growing global reputation for its specialist expertise and work in the development of cell & gene therapies.
Over the past 12 months, Boyds’ regulatory team has worked with the MHRA in the UK and with the EU and US regulatory authorities on 19 orphan drug designations, 11 scientific advice procedures and three investigational new drug (IND) applications. Its expertise has also been called on for numerous COVID projects. The team is working on two COVID vaccine projects and two therapeutic approaches for the treatment of severe symptoms of COVID-19, as well as setting up and managing clinical trials during the pandemic. It has also recently commenced a project to develop the regulatory strategy to support challenge studies to accelerate the development of COVID and other vaccines.
The company has been directly involved in supporting seven of the ten gene-based therapies that are now available for patient use either in the UK, the EU and the USA. In 2018 it was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of this international work.
Boyds has seen substantial growth from US biotechs, with approximately 60 percent of the company’s work now originating from the USA and continued interactions with the FDA on behalf of its clients. Boyds is now in the process of establishing an office in the USA to support this and in response to the increased demand. The office will open later this year.
“Our team of experts works with biotechs, academic groups and pharma companies from the early pre-clinical stages all the way through clinical development, product approval and beyond,” explains Professor Boyd. “We have experienced significant year-on-year growth with an increased demand particularly for our expertise in advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and gene therapies, a trend that is continuing.’’
“In particular, clients are coming to us with advanced cell, gene and RNA therapies,” he adds. “We have seen an increase in the numbers of biologicals requiring development, as well as projects to repurpose existing medicines, particularly in light of the COVID-19 response. Our expertise has also been called upon with a number of COVID-19 vaccine projects.”
“I am proud of the team and our reputation for the work they carry out every day to help support the development of medicines, as well as the handling of regulatory submissions to ensure approval by the authorities. This past year has resulted in the team working over and above to help expedite this process.”
Professor Boyd says there are no signs of demand for its expertise slowing down: “It is essential that new medicines and treatments continue to be developed and reach patients. I am passionate about this. The continued demand for our expertise is driving the company’s growth and therefore the need to attract more talented specialists into our team in the UK. This is an exciting time for Boyds, and these ambitious growth plans, including the establishment of our US office, will help ensure we have the infrastructure and expertise to support more of this vital work.”
The Brexit transition period in 2020 has also provided complexities for the development and approvals of medicines and Boyds opened its Dublin office at the beginning of 2019 in preparation to ensure continuity for clients and their access to the regulatory agencies.
Professor Boyd says: “The UK’s departure from the EU should not hinder the vital development and approvals of new medicines. Our regulatory team has worked tirelessly to navigate and interpret the new guidance from the regulatory authorities now that the exit transition period has ended, to ensure our clients’ projects can continue as seamlessly as possible. Our office in Dublin gives us the important foothold in Europe to ensure clients, both in the UK and across the globe, can benefit from access to the European Medicines Agency.”
