Ruth Roberts appointed as Chair of Bionow

Bionow has appointed Professor Ruth Roberts, Co-founder of ApconiX, as Chair of its Board.

Ruth brings a wealth of experience across pharma, biotech and academia. As Co-founder of ApconiX, she has helped build a company recognised for its expertise in nonclinical safety and ion channel science, working at the interface of research and real-world application.

Alongside this, Ruth is Chair and Director of Drug Discovery at the University of Birmingham and has held leadership roles across a number of international scientific organisations, including the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI).

Her career reflects a strong focus on innovation in drug discovery and a commitment to ensuring academic research translates into tangible impact. She has published more than 180 peer-reviewed papers and is a Fellow and past President of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences, as well as a Fellow of both the Royal College of Pathologists and the Royal Society of Biology.

Commenting on her appointment, Ruth said: “I’m thrilled to be stepping into the role of Chair at Bionow at such an exciting time. The North has an incredible life sciences community, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the team and our members to build on that momentum. Collaboration is key to unlocking innovation, and I’m keen to help create even more opportunities to connect, share expertise and drive the sector forward.”

Bionow CEO Geoff Davison added: “Ruth is a fantastic supporter of Bionow, so I’m delighted to welcome her as Chair. She brings a wealth of experience and insight, along with a real enthusiasm for bringing people together. As we continue to grow our reach and impact, her guidance will be invaluable in helping shape our direction and supporting what we’re building for our members.”