The Company

The Board

Dr. Deborah A. O’Neil

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.

Bryan Bodek

Bryan joins the NovaBiotics’ board with more than 30 years’ experience of advising public and private companies in all aspects of their businesses and in negotiating commercial transactions of up to £1,500 m. Bryan’s background is in corporate finance/company law and he has served on the boards of three public companies. He is a director of University of Manchester Intellectual Property Ltd. and has significant experience in leading successful health care licensing/marketing deals.

John K Pool

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.

Professor Andy Porter

Andy Porter is a key figure in the UK biotech sector and international biologics sphere. He was Chief Scientific Officer and on the founding team of Haptogen Ltd, a company which Andy had a key role in facilitating a sale of in 2007 to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical and healthcare products companies. Andy is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, advises the Scottish Government on science policy and strategy through his role on the Scottish Science Advisory Committee and serves on the Executive of the Scottish BioIndustry Association.

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. 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.

Paul McIntosh
PA to the CEO/Head of Administration

Paul has worked in Administration for over ten years. During this time he gained a Professional Diploma in Management. He joined NovaBiotics in 2005 as PA to the CEO and has since become Head of Administration, overseeing the administrative staff and playing a part in the achievement of Investors in People status and implementing the company’s Quality Management Systems.

Dr. Vanessa Duncan
Senior Research Associate

Vanessa is a mycologist with over 10 years experience in Candida albicans biology. Having completed her degree at the University of Aberdeen, she continued her career at Aberdeen, studying for her PhD under Professor Neil Gow, before embarking on post-doctoral work with Professor Frank Odds on the effect antifungal agents can have on C. albicans, beyond their known inhibitory effects. Her skills in C. albicans and molecular biology will help the development of the systemic antifungal program at NovaBiotics.

Dr. Cedric Charrier
Research Associate

Initially recruited via the Scottish Network International scheme for his experience in microbial ecology and anaerobic microbiology, Cedric has proved a valuable addition to the scientific team and contributes to the development of pipeline projects, including novel antibacterials for the prevention and treatment of biofilms. Further to his scientific input, Cedric plays a key role in implementing and maintaining a quality management system in light of the ISO9001 and ISO17025 standards.

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