NovaBiotics Ltd was founded in Aberdeen by Dr. Deborah O'Neil in 2004. The Board of Directors provides a wealth of expertise in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector and the science team now in place (comprising immunology, microbiology and peptide antimicrobial expertise) provides a wealth of technological know-how and skills.

Substantial business experience has been added to ensure that; overall, there is a good balance of skills available to drive the business forward. In line with our outlicensing model, this includes proven sector-specific expertise in anti-infectives business development.

Click to view a list of our professional advisors

John K Pool
Executive Chairman

With more than 40 years experience in the Biomedical and healthcare sectors, John sits on the board of a number of leading biotech companies in the UK and Ireland, is consultant to several US life science companies and has specific experience in negotiating successful license agreements for technology companies. John is responsible for the creation, funding and taking to IPO of a number of entities.  His expertise with successful biotech start-ups was the cornerstone of the creation of NovaBiotics Ltd.

Dr. Deborah A. O’Neil
Chief Executive & Scientific Officer

Deborah founded NovaBiotics in August, 2004. An immunologist by training with over a decade's experience in the field of natural antimicrobials, Deborah studied at University College London and then worked in internationally acclaimed laboratories in San Diego and Ghent before moving to Aberdeen.  It was here where, in order to fully develop the commercial potential of novel antimicrobial peptide therapies, the business was started.

Dr. David Galloway
Clinical Director

As Director of the Medicines Assessment Research Unit (MARU- Aberdeen), David created and managed the largest single SMO in the UK. David has extensive clinical trial/project management experience (for Beecham Pharma UK , Roche Pharma, Napp Research, Cambridge and Upjohn International). He has been involved in over 700 technical submissions to regulatory authorities worldwide and more than 30 medicine product launches. His experience in pre-clinical and clinical development will be invaluable to the Company’s success.

Mr. Nick Strong
Finance Director

Nick Strong is a Chartered Accountant who qualified with Price Waterhouse, London, in 1973. From 1977 he worked overseas in a number of senior finance management positions with Shell International Petroleum, finally as Finance Director of Irish Shell in Dublin from 1986 to 1989. In September 1989, he joined Cahill May Roberts Group plc, the pharmaceutical distributor, which floated on the USM in London and Dubln in May 1990, as Finance Director. Subsequently, he has been involved with a number of companies as Finance Director including the quoted EiRx Therapeutics PLC.

Dr Barry Mason
Non-Executive Director (Business Development)

An internationally recognised expert in the development of anti-infective products, Barry brings over 25 years of experience as a senior executive and manager within the pharmaceutical industry to the NovaBiotics’ board. During the course of his career with AstraZeneca (Zeneca and ICI previous to that), Barry has built and maintained an extensive network of pharmaceutical industry contacts and key opinion leaders and oversaw the clinical development, manufacture and marketing of multimillion dollar antibiotics. Dr. Mason’s scientific background in organic (peptide) chemistry and current role as an independent consultant specialising in anti-infective business development perfectly complements NovaBiotics’ scientific as well as commercial focus.

Malcolm Gillies
Non Executive Director (Legal)

Malcolm has over 30 years in-depth experience of a wide variety of corporate finance transactions acting for public and private companies.  Particular involvement in Life Sciences area with clients such as Axis-Shield, Immunodiagnostic Systems & British Biocell.  Formerly head of Shepherd & Wedderburn’s Funds & Financial Services Division, Malcolm still consults in this area and has substantial experience of all aspects of work with fund management businesses, particularly in relation to Investment Trusts and Limited Partnerships.  Malcolm has considerable current involvement in various matters abroad, particularly in the Middle East.  Has been a member of the International Tax Department at Simmons & Simmons, was based for two years in Abu Dhabi and has worked extensively in the Middle East and Far East over a number of years.

Management & Senior Scientists

Dr. Derry K. Mercer
Head of Research

Derry is a biological scientist with more than ten years of experience within the areas of microbiology, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, cell biology and bioinformatics. Having begun his career at the University of Liverpool, he has worked with other research institutes, universities and SME’s in Aberdeen to gain extensive experience in a diverse array of subject areas. Derry ’s range of skills and experience will help drive forward the research and development strategies of NovaBiotics Ltd.

Dr. Christopher A. Bamford
Head of development

Chris brings several years of biotech research management experience to NovaBiotics, having previously managed a team investigating T cell responses to therapeutic biologics in the Aberdeen-based biotechnology company Biovation Ltd. Chris is a molecular immunologist by training and began his career investigating the role of the matrix metalloproteinase family of pro-inflammatory enzymes in specific forms of cancer at Aberdeen University. As a post-doctoral scientist at the Harvard Medical School, he then studied the impact of growth factors and cytokines in malignant disease.

Dr. Colin S. Stewart
Head of Microbiology

A fungal expert by training, Colin brings a wealth of expertise to NovaBiotics, gleaned from a distinguished and varied career in the field of microbiology. Colin is an advisor to the Food Standards agency, a named inventor on several patents and in 2002, was awarded a prestigious Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept award to study the impact of novel microbicides on pathogenic E. coli 0157. Colin’s technical input has and will continue to be, central to NovaBiotic's success.