Ex-Roche Martin Austin appointed Business Development Director of A1M Pharma
A1M Pharma has strengthened its management with the appointment of Martin Austin as Business Development Director. Martin Austin has 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on financing, strategy and business development. He has been a Board member of A1M Pharma since March 2015 and will take up his position with immediate effect.
Martin joins as A1M Pharma maintains strong progress in its development projects focusing on diagnostics and treatment of pre-eclampsia, and treatment of acute kidney injury. The recruitment of Martin Austin, a global expert in financing, strategy and business development in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, to the position of Business Development Director provides the company with access to valuable expertise and an extensive network of contacts that is set to assist the company’s progress from the preclinical to the clinical stage.
Martin has solid experience of the pharmaceutical industry, including holding senior positions such as Roche’s Head of Business Development for pharmaceuticals. He is also a board member of several growth companies, Board advisor to a number of companies and investment funds and an expert at the Centre for Executive Leadership for the Pharmaceutical Industry in Brussels. He has advised over 100 companies, and is the author of two books on business development in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry.
“A1M Pharma has benefitted from Martin Austin’s extensive business development expertise and large contact network in the global pharmaceutical industry since he joined the Board of Directors in March 2015. Accordingly, I’m delighted that Martin is now taking a more active role in the company as Business Development Director, which strengthens our focus on business development and partnerships,” commented A1M Pharma’s CEO Tomas Eriksson.
“A1M Pharma has a unique method for treating the cause of serious kidney injury, including pre-eclampsia, an area with an extensive unmet medical need globally. The company has also reached a key phase in its progress, where my business development expertise can contribute to enhancing the company’s promising medical and financial potential,” commented Martin Austin, new Business Development Director.
A1M Pharma has recruited three new members of staff at management level in August and September. Following the appointments, the company’s management consists of Tomas Eriksson (CEO), Eddie Thordarson (Development Manager), Rolf Gustafsson (Director Medical Affairs) and Martin Austin (Business Development Director).
About pre-eclampsia and acute kidney injury
A1M Pharma develops diagnostics and treatments for pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects some 10 million pregnant women globally each year, of which approximately 5,000 in Sweden. At present, the condition cannot be diagnosed in the early stages of pregnancy and there are no reliable methods for diagnosis in later stages of pregnancy. There is no effective treatment for the condition at present. The company is participating in a pre-clinical collaboration with Professor Faikah Güler at Hannover Medical School in Germany regarding the treatment of acute kidney injury, and indication with an extensive unmet medical need caused by factors including major surgery in connection with acute conditions and organ transplants.
For more information, please contact:
Tomas Eriksson, CEO of A1M Pharma AB
Email: te@a1m.se
Tel: 046-286 50 30
A1M Pharma was founded by researchers at the University of Lund, Sweden. The company was incorporated in 2008 with its main focus on the development and commercialization of diagnostics and treatment of pre-eclampsia. Pharmaceuticals development is based on A1M, a protein that protects the body from toxic substances formed in oxidative stress, and repairs damaged tissue. Diagnostics are based on the detection of raised levels of the biomarker fetal hemoglobin in the mother’s blood. The researchers have developed a new method for discovering pregnancies at risk of developing pre-eclampsia at an early stage. The company has also decided to complement its research to include pharmaceutical development focusing on renal failure, as recently completed studies indicate that A1M protects renal tissue.