Sygnature Discovery, a world-leading integrated discovery and pre-clinical solutions provider, has appointed Dr Andy Mead as Director and Head of Drug Abuse and Substance Use Disorders at its integrated in vivo pharmacology company, RenaSci.

With 25 years’ experience in the science of drug abuse and addiction across academia, biotech and pharma (including NIDA, Merck, Pfizer and AstraZeneca), Dr Mead brings strategic and scientific leadership to a well-established team of drug abuse specialists, and will drive the development and expansion of the company’s non-clinical drug abuse and substance use disorders capabilities.

For Sygnature and RenaSci customers, this senior appointment adds a rare depth of expertise around non-clinical assessment and regulatory strategy, with Dr Mead bringing extensive experience across a wide range of abuse liability assessments, and will ensure expert collaboration and consultancy in meeting the regulatory requirements for drug abuse assessment during the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Dr Mead’s specialist knowledge in safety pharmacology and discovery toxicology will also complement and add value to the expertise already on offer across a variety of therapeutic areas at Sygnature.

Dr Andy Mead said: "I have always been passionate about the science of drug abuse and addiction and there is so much need for it today – both ensuring patient safety through the assessment of abuse liability, as well as directly addressing patient need through discovering novel treatments for substance use disorders.

“This role gives me the exciting opportunity to collaborate across all sectors of the healthcare industry to pursue both of those aspects, building on RenaSci’s established reputation for scientific quality and collaboration, and aligned with Sygnature Discovery's vision to deliver the best science through innovation and tailored integrated drug discovery and pre-clinical expertise."

Dr Mead joins Sygnature from Sosei Heptares, where he was Director of Discovery and Translational Safety. His industry experience is backed by an internationally-recognised publication record for developing the science of drug abuse and substance use disorders, extensive regulatory experience in the area of abuse liability; as well as a strong track record for progressing molecules from concept through to clinical development across a range of therapeutic areas.

Dr Simon Hirst, Founder and CEO at Sygnature, said: “The worldwide opioid crisis has brought the field of drug abuse liability and treatment to the forefront of science. But with the variety of models involved, it is an extremely complex undertaking. To advance new molecules to market, it is critical that both the quality of the science and the drug development strategy behind it are at the highest level.

“With a history of providing pre-clinical solutions in this challenging area, I am thrilled at the prospect of Andy joining to head-up a team of scientists with a world-renowned reputation. Andy’s experience will not only strengthen the expertise of this team, but as a well-respected and dynamic scientist he will ensure we remain at the fore-front of this exciting area.”

About Sygnature Discovery
Sygnature Discovery is a leading independent integrated drug discovery and pre-clinical services company. Private equity-backed since 2017, the company operates fully enabled research facilities in Nottingham and Alderley Park, UK, housing more than 300 research scientists (over 80% of whom hold a PhD) and has an office presence in Cambridge, MA, US. Their experienced drug-hunters possess all the professional skills and know-how required to undertake the most demanding of research programmes, and drive them from target validation through hit identification, hit-to-lead and lead optimisation to pre-clinical development candidate. Sygnature’s pharmacology arm was formed by the incorporation of RenaSci, acquired in 2018, into Sygnature’s fully-integrated drug discovery platform. Since 2011, 33 compounds discovered by Sygnature for clients have entered pre-clinical development and, so far, 16 of these have progressed to clinical trials (Phases I, II and III). In 2017, Sygnature Discovery received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

For further information, visit: www.sygnaturediscovery.com