Locate Bio announces the appointment of John von Benecke as CEO

Locate Bio Ltd (“Locate”), an orthobiologics company pursuing multiple high value spinal opportunities, today announces that John von Benecke has been appointed CEO to drive Locate’s lead program for spinal fusion and continue to build out its spinal pipeline. John von Benecke has served as COO/CFO for Locate since September 2019 and has significant experience in both large corporate healthcare businesses and smaller MedTech start-ups. John’s previous experience includes an executive role at ApaTech Ltd, a leading UK orthobiologics success story, during its period of rapid international growth through to a $330m exit to Baxter.
John von Benecke, CEO of Locate, said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the Locate team and ultimately to bring products to market that will help surgeons around the world improve the lives of people suffering with debilitating spinal conditions.”
Dr Ian Wilding, Chairman of Locate said: “I am delighted by the John’s promotion. As we focus on our significant orthobiologics opportunities, his spine industry knowledge and broad experience of taking high growth start-ups through significant value growth points will be critical.”
Peter Dines, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Life Sciences & Biosciences of Mercia Asset Management, the lead investor in Locate said: “Locate has continued to make impressive progress in developing its lead program for spinal fusion – an area of core expertise. The lead product has the potential to disrupt a three-billion USD global market. We look forward to continuing to support John and the Locate team build a world leading orthobiologics business.”

For more information, please contact:
Locate Bio Limited +44 (0)115 784 0041
John von Benecke, CEO [email protected]

Media: Richard Hayhurst [email protected]


Mercia Asset Management PLC
Alison Dywer
Head of Marketing and Communications

07464 480 137
[email protected]

About Locate Bio Limited
Locate Bio (“Locate”) is a UK orthobiologics company developing high value products for the treatment of debilitating spinal conditions. Locate’s lead program is a preclinical next generation spinal fusion product, designed to control and sustain the release of BMP-2 from within a bioresorbable osteoconductive scaffold.
For more information visit: www.locatebio.com

About Mercia Asset Management PLC
Mercia is a proactive, specialist asset manager focused on supporting regional SMEs to achieve their growth aspirations. Mercia provides capital across its four asset classes of balance sheet, venture, private equity and debt capital: the Group's 'Complete Connected Capital'. The Group initially nurtures businesses via its third-party funds under management, then over time Mercia can provide further funding to the most promising companies, by deploying direct investment follow-on capital from its own balance sheet.

The Group has a strong UK regional footprint through its eight offices, 19 university partnerships and extensive personal networks, providing it with access to high-quality deal flow. Mercia currently has c.£800million of assets under management and, since its IPO in December 2014, has invested over £90million across its direct investment portfolio.

Mercia Asset Management PLC is quoted on AIM with the epic "MERC"
For more information visit: www.mercia.co.uk