David Chiswell

Dave Chiswell takes on and relishes the permanent CEO role after 'one of the most satisfying years of my career' as interim CEO. Dr David Chiswell OBE has been appointed as Kymab's Chief Executive Officer with effect from April 2016. Dr Chiswell has acted as interim CEO since early 2015, having been appointed Chairman in September 2013. Dr Tim Rink will take the role of Lead Director with effect from April.

Dr Chiswell has an enviable record in the industry, having worked at Amersham, founded Cambridge Antibody Technology in 1990, been Chair of the UK's BioIndustry Association, and served seven other biotech companies as Chairman or Director. "I am delighted with Dave's appointment as CEO; Dave has an outstanding track record and experience in antibody development and building Biotech companies," said Dr Rink. "He was instrumental in the development of the world’s best selling antibody. Dr Chiswell. "I believe Kymab has all the tools needed to enable it to become a truly successful major Biotech company. Our Kymouse® platform has already generated an enviable product pipeline of human monoclonal antibodies which we will continue to expand.

"We attracted high quality investors Woodford and Malin alongside the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in our US$90 million Series B fund raise, one of the largest pre-clinical rounds in UK biotech. We have established major partnerships such as Novo Nordisk and the US cancer hospital MD Anderson. "I am very pleased to be taking the helm on a permanent basis at a time when we are commencing our clinical trial programmes."

Dr Chiswell has over 30 years' experience in the biotechnology industry having co-founded Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) in 1990, serving as CEO from 1996 to 2002. CAT listed on the London Stock exchange in April 1997 and Nasdaq in June 2001, and was subsequently sold to AstraZenca where it forms an important part of their biopharmaceutical franchise.

He has focused on the development of early-stage biotechnology companies, having previously served as a director of Arakis, non-executive chairman of Sosei, Arrow Therapeutics and Daniolabs, and as CEO of Nabriva Therapeutics (2009 to 2012). Dr Chiswell currently serves as chairman of Albireo Pharma and is a director of Nabriva Therapeutics. He is a past chairman of the UK BioIndustry association (BIA) and in 2006 he was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen for services to the biotechnology industry.