Healthcare Group Invest in R&D Leadership

Life sciences company Zaluvida has appointed Dr. Graham Dixon as both Group Head of R&D for the entire Swiss-based business and also as Chief Operating Officer at its Welsh-based fundamental research and development arm, Neem Biotech.

With over 25 years of experience across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, Dr. Dixon brings along a wealth of expertise in discovering and developing novel drugs with applications for both orphan and mainstream disease indications. He has steered numerous novel drug candidates from early development through clinical and later stage development processes across multiple indications. These have ranged from anti-infectives to oncology and neurological indications.

Formerly Chief Scientific Officer for Onexo, Dr. Dixon has also held joint Chief Scientific Officer/Head of R&D roles in venture capital funded and publically listed biotechs, including Sensorion, Addex Therapeutics, Galapagos, Entomed and F2G. As Head of R&D at Galapagos, his responsibilities included managing a staff of 260 scientists across three European sites. He started his R&D career as Head of Biochemistry at DowElanco Ltd, moving on later to AstraZeneca as a project leader and later as Global Product Director. Dr Dixon obtained his Ph.D. in biochemistry at Swansea University and his BSc in Applied Biology from the University of Bradford.

Zaluvida’s Group CEO, Christoph Staeuble, said: “I am very pleased to have Graham on board, both as Head of R&D for the Zaluvida group and as part of the Neem Biotech leadership team. He is a great fit for the organisation and brings with him a valuable wealth of industry experience.”

Dr. Michael Graz, Neem Biotech’s Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Graham back to Wales, where he started his professional career. Our work in environmental, animal and human health, and, in particular, our developments to fight anti-microbial resistance stand to benefit from his expertise in biotechnology and big pharma.”

Dr. Graham Dixon, said: “This is an exciting time to join Zaluvida. I am looking forward to being able to play a part in the next phase of the company’s evolution and in the development of the impressive pipeline assets of the group.”