Xention, a Cambridge-based biopharmaceutical company specialising in the discovery and development of ion channel-modulating drugs, has appointed Calum Graham to the new role of director of business development.
Graham joins Xention from GlaxoSmithKline, where he was director of scientific licensing in worldwide business development for six years.
While at GSK, Graham was responsible for business development and licensing within the neurosciences therapeutic area. He led the evaluation of several licensing and acquisition opportunities, including completion of more than 25 due diligences and numerous deals. Prior to this, he held senior roles in other GSK departments including head of disease strategy in the Neurology & GI Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery (CEDD) and assistant director in the Anti-Infective Therapeutic Unit. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Dundee.
"We are delighted that Calum has joined us in this newly created role," said Tim Brears, Xention's chief executive. "His many years of experience in pharmaceutical drug development will be invaluable as the interest in our programmes from third parties increases."