Boyds goes for growth with key business development hire
Boyds, the leading pharmaceutical and biotech product development consultancy, has announced the appointment of business development expert Dr Neil Fish to support the company as it embarks on the next stage of its global expansion.
With over 35 years’ experience in the life sciences industry and an outstanding track record of completing deals, Neil joins the Boyds team as Vice President of Business Development and will be responsible for supporting the company’s continued growth by developing its global client base.
Neil’s prior experience includes co-founding biotechnology start-up Alizyme, where he was responsible for in-licensing products to form the company’s R&D portfolio. He subsequently moved into R&D and business development roles at the company, looking after its IP portfolio and out-licensing a number of Alizyme’s products to companies globally.
Neil later led the divestment process of Alizyme’s major asset – an obesity drug called Cetilistat – which was obtained by private, European speciality pharmaceutical company, Norgine. Neil went on to work at Norgine for almost 12 years, initially supporting the integration of Cetilistat and then working on many of the company’s major product acquisitions, in-licensing deals, and divestments.
Neil is the latest addition to the Boyds team following a major recruitment drive this year, in response to a 25 percent surge in turnover and sustained demand for Boyds’ services across the UK, Europe and the US. Following the opening of the company’s US office earlier this year, Neil’s work will be largely concentrated on developing new, global business, with a key focus on US growth.
Commenting on his appointment, Neil said: “Working with companies who are developing new, innovative medicines at the cutting edge of science is something I am very passionate about, so I jumped at the chance to work with the talented team at Boyds. As Vice President of Business Development, I’m looking forward to supporting new biotechs, pharma companies, and academic groups that are working on cutting-edge ATMPs by showing them exactly how Boyds can get their products successfully developed and approved for market.”
President and Founder of Boyds, Professor Alan Boyd, added: “Since Boyds was established in 2005, we have worked with companies across the globe to help them translate their ideas into medicines for the benefit of patients. Our global reputation for our work in advanced therapies has led to a significant increase in the number of companies approaching Boyds for this expertise.
“We are delighted to welcome Neil to Boyds. His wealth of experience and deep knowledge of the life sciences industry means he will be an immediate asset to the team as we continue to build on existing growth in the UK, Europe and the US and aim to support more clients with their cutting-edge ideas.”
