Nov 17 2008
Midatech Group, a world leader in nanotechnology, today announces the formation of a Basel-based Swiss drug development subsidiary, PharMida AG. Formation of this subsidiary follows an investment by a group of Switzerland-based private investors into Midatech Ltd. The mandate of PharMida is to develop a strong portfolio of clinically validated gold nanoparticle-drug combinations. Furthermore, PharMida will have the responsibility to project manage in-house drug development, commercial partnerships, and out-licensing opportunities in order to leverage the rich collection of the already existing and most promising Midatech Ltd products or product lines in Life Sciences. PharMida will be headed by Professor Fritz R. Buhler as Chairman, and Dr Jan Mous as CEO.
Professor Fritz Buhler, Chairman of PharMida, is Professor of Pharmaceutical Medicine and Pathophysiology as well as of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the Faculty of Medicine, Universities of Basel. He has a wealth of experience in pharmaceutical development having held a number of senior positions in academia and industry, including Head of Worldwide Clinical R&D at F. Hoffman-La Roche, Director of the European Centre of Pharmaceutical Medicine and co-Founder of International Biomedicine Management Partners, Basel, and Health Innoventures, New York.
Dr Jan Mous, PharMida's new CEO, has a strong background in research and development, and many years' experience at senior level in a number of biotech companies. Most recently Dr Mous was President and CEO of IntegraGen, and prior to that he held the position of CSO and was member of the Executive Board of LION bioscience. From 1985 to 2000, Dr Mous enjoyed a successful career at F. Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel.
Professor Thomas Rademacher, Founder and Chairman of Midatech Group, commented: "This is an extremely important step in the development of Midatech and its nanoparticle technology. It is a great privilege to be partnering with such a high calibre team, who between them bring an unrivalled level of expertise and experience in the pharmaceutical sector. I am looking forward to working with Professor Buhler and Dr Mous to develop Midatech's innovative nanoparticle technology to its full potential."
"I am delighted to be joining PharMida at its inception, and look forward with great anticipation to being a part of the journey that will see this subsidiary develop the potential of its exciting technology," commented Jan Mous, CEO.
"The nanoparticle technology to be developed by PharMida is very promising and I have no doubt will prove to be of great importance to the development better therapeutic applications for patients in need," added Professor Fritz R. Buhler, Chairman.