Milner takes Healx chair as co-founder pursues academic research at Trinity
While pursuing his studies, Dr Brown will remain an active member of the Healx board, continuing to contribute and support CEO Tim Guilliams and Dr Milner.
Drs. Brown and Guilliams, co-founders of Healx, are leading a paradigm shift towards target-agnostic and multi-omic based drug discovery powered by artificial intelligence.
This approach accelerates and optimises the discovery of new treatments for rare diseases, and Dr Brown's input has served as a foundational source of inspiration and scientific rigour for this groundbreaking work at Healx.
Guilliams said: “It has been an extraordinary privilege to start Healx alongside Dave. His body of work, including the co-invention of Viagra while at Pfizer, and also as the former global head of drug discovery at Roche, and similar contributions at various successful biotech companies such as Cellzome and Crescendo Biologics, showcases the visionary approach he brings to everything he undertakes.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to continue growing this company alongside Dave, and I am inspired by his dedication as he pursues academic research at Trinity College.
“Meanwhile, we are incredibly fortunate to welcome Dr Milner, one of the industry’s brightest minds dedicated to reducing human suffering via the development of new healthcare technologies and medicines. His influence in the industry is truly impressive, and his achievements set the standard for our mission at Healx where we strive to deliver life-changing therapies to patients.”
Dr. Milner is a distinguished entrepreneur, investor and all-round influential figure in the UK life sciences and biotech industry. His entrepreneurial journey includes founding Abcam, a global leader in the supply of protein research tools, which he grew into a multi-billion-dollar company before it was acquired by US company Danaher Corporation last December for almost $6 billion.
He also founded the Milner Therapeutics Institute, which bridges academia and industry to expedite drug discovery and facilitate collaborations between researchers and biopharmaceutical companies.
Dr Milner has a strong track record of fostering innovation in life sciences and serves on many boards, investing and contributing his expertise to numerous startups and established organisations.
He says: “As Dr. Brown carves out time to embark on this new academic journey, Healx eagerly anticipates his continued scientific leadership and valuable insights while he works with the Healx team to further define the third generation of drug discovery.
“As the new Chairman, and speaking for the entire Healx team, we extend our heartfelt congratulations on his acceptance to Trinity College, Cambridge University as he takes another meaningful step in his illustrious career.”