Former AZ leader Brinsmead on board at Proveca

THE former president of AstraZeneca UK has bought into Cheshire-based Proveca which re-engineers existing medicines to make them appropriate for children.

Chris Brinsmead, who has acquired a minority stake, will also become chairman of the business which is based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, near Warrington.

Proveca, established by Simon Bryson and Helen Shaw following the sale of their former company, Auralis, is currently developing medicines in the fields of cardiology, neurology and pain management, largely for children.

Mr Brinsmead said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be taking this role at such a forward-thinking and progressive company. Proveca is consistently making strides in its field and I am confident that my experience and expertise will greatly help with its further development. I look forward to working with the team and playing a key role in the company’s exciting future.”

Co-director Simon Bryson added: “We’ve enjoyed a fantastic past year and he will be a valued asset to the company as we look to the future and take our pipeline of new products through the process of development.”

In December the company secured a £2.6m investment from London-based Albion Ventures to support product development. Mr Brinsmead has also served as the president of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), advising the UK Government on life science policy.