Ark Therapeutics names manufacturing services director

Ark Therapeutics has announced the appointment of Dr David Venables as its new executive director for manufacturing services.

Dr Venables has been elected to Ark's board to aid efforts to make the manufacturing services business a more central element of the organisation's future development.

He joins the company from vaccines business Intercell, where he played a crucial role in developing manufacturing capabilities in both Europe and the US, while previous employers include Medeva, Covance and Invitrogen.

His extensive experience in the field of global biotech manufacturing services will play a crucial role in Ark's transformation, with numerous third-party collaborations in this field all planned.

Martyn Williams, chief executive officer of Ark, said: "David's extensive experience in building commercially focused manufacturing service businesses will enable us to accelerate the development of our world-leading viral manufacturing capability into a major self-sustaining business."

Earlier this year, the company achieved the first milestone in its manufacturing alliance with PsiOxus Therapeutics, which focuses on the development of a new colorectal cancer treatment.