Locate Bio announces appointment of Dr Nick Staples as Chief Executive Officer

Appointment follows recent investment by Mercia, as company eyes growing opportunity in regenerative medicine

26 November 2018: Locate Bio Limited (“Locate” or “Company”) a specialist regenerative medicine company based in Nottingham, UK, today announces that Dr Nick Staples has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and that Dr Robin Quirk, the acting CEO, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer (“COO”).

Dr Staples brings more than 20 years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and has a strong track record in leading strategic growth projects and international transactions, including fundraising (more than $250 million to date), mergers and acquisitions, licensing and new business ventures. Most recently, he was the Chief Business Officer of Artios Pharma Ltd, a leading DNA damage response oncology company, where he played a key role in establishing the company through seed and Series A fundraises in 2016, including building out its innovative development pipeline, prior to a highly successful recent $84 million Series B fundraise. Dr Staples also served concurrently as the Chief Business Officer of TopiVert Pharma Ltd, a next generation topical anti-inflammatory company which is preparing to initiate its first Phase 2b/3 registration study for TOP1630 in dry eye disease.

Prior to these roles, Dr Staples completed several transactions as an independent advisor and held senior positions at several leading UK public companies - Vectura, SSL International and Protherics. Having gained his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, he started his professional career as a management consultant in the Lifesciences team at PA Consulting before becoming established as a highly regarded biotech analyst with WestLB Panmure in London.

Dr Ian Wilding, Chairman of Locate said: “I am delighted to welcome Nick as the new CEO of Locate Bio, as the company expands its ambitions in the regenerative medicine field. With his extensive experience in corporate and business development in both public and private companies, Nick will be able to deliver the strategic vision and leadership to propel Locate to the forefront of this exciting field. I would also like to thank Dr Robin Quirk for performing the role of acting CEO so capably prior to Nick’s appointment and welcome his continued service as the COO. I look forward to working with Nick, Rob and the team at this very exciting stage of the Locate’s development.”

Dr Staples added: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as the CEO of Locate Bio, as a leading company in the regenerative medicine field and at a time when cell and gene therapies are starting to deliver real benefits to patients - I have no doubt that this is the future of medicine. Locate’s technologies are designed to overcome the limitations of current regenerative medicine approaches and working together with the board and management team, I am confident that we can expand our existing pipeline, secure partnering deals and build significant value in the company.”