Chief Executive Officer in Banbury

Physiomics plc (AIM: PYC) is an Oxford-based contract research organisation and consultancy specialising in the application of mathematical and data science solutions to support the development of therapeutic drugs and personalised medicine dosing software. Physiomics has a current turnover of circa £1m p.a. It has a high-profile brand and an established customer base of clients in the UK, Europe and North America. Physiomics takes a collaborative approach to provide clients with bespoke solutions encompassing data, analytics and insight.

Physiomics is structured in two service-lines; Model Informed Drug Development (MIDD) and Biometrics. The Company’s MIDD service-line provides a full range of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic contract services to companies ranging from biotechs to some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, across multiple therapeutic areas. The Company uses a range of commercially available software solutions but also maintains its own proprietary Virtual Tumour™ model which simulates the effects of anti-cancer agents on pre-clinical and human tumours, helping clients to improve the success rate of drug discovery and development projects while reducing time and cost. The MIDD service-line has completed over 140 commercial projects, involving over 125 targets and drugs, and has worked with clients such as Merck KGaA, Numab Therapeutics, Cancer Research UK and Bicycle Therapeutics, to name but a few.

The Company recently expanded its contract services into the field of Biometrics, which is run as a separate service-line and provides biostatistics, statistical programming and data management solutions. Even though only recently launched, this service-line is already delivering on several client contracts and has a rapidly growing pipeline of opportunities being progressed.

Separately from its contract services business, Physiomics has won several Innovate UK and NIHR grants which it has used to develop a software tool to personalise the dose of chemotherapy. It has an ongoing collaboration with US company, DoseMe, and has incorporated this tool into their existing commercial platform (DoseMeRx). The dosing software tool is currently available for research use only, but as the tool is further developed, the plan is to implement paid for functionality.

Physiomics is seeking a new leader to drive an ambitious program of expansion and strategic change within an LSE AIM-listed business. The role requires excellent influencing skills, keen commercial acumen and the ability to communicate effectively with both scientific/clinical and commercial stakeholders. Even though prior experience is not necessary, the role will be responsible for managing all corporate activities pertaining to being a public company, work with the board of directors, Company Secretary, NOMAD and Broker to ensure compliance to AIM rules and effective governance of the business.

Physiomics’ revenues are derived mostly from its core contract services business, and this will remain the first priority of the incoming CEO who will be able to support the acquisition and retention of clients, participate in key meetings and presentations, lead the internal team and have the experience and gravitas to act as a senior advisor to key client contacts. The Company currently operates virtually, although the CEO will need to be available for regular face to face team meetings in the Oxford/London area. The role will require occasional travel (in the UK and abroad) to clients, networking activities, and meetings with stakeholders. The company currently has 12 permanent employees (including Board Directors) and utilises contractors to provide additional capacity and expertise when required. The Company operates a fee for service revenue model but has developed a personalised dosing tool that could form the basis of a software-as-a-service offering. Physiomics believes this role represents a real opportunity for the right individual to make a significant impact in a small organisation.

Key responsibilities of the role

• Set the Company’s overall strategy, balancing core consulting with other activities such as personalised medicine.
• Accountable for all business development and marketing activities (BDM), supporting the Head of Business Development and heads of service-lines (MIDD and Biometrics) to develop and execute on an effective BDM strategy to identify and win new business, maximise pipeline size and quality, and further grow the Physiomics brand.
• Accountable for the delivery and expansion of high-quality consultancy services, supporting heads of service-lines in effective resource management to achieve excellence in consulting and develop new service capabilities aligned with growth objectives.
• Accountable for general business operations, including HR and recruitment, quality, IT, business processes and management of key internal initiatives.
• As required, support key client engagements, providing strategic scientific/clinical input (depending on experience) to key projects, to ensure client satisfaction and maximise repeat business.
• Work with the external Head of Finance to prepare annual budgets and reforecasts, financial management, maintain accurate financial records, monthly management accounts, interim & full year financials and HMRC tax submissions.

Corporate

• Ensure robust and timely management reporting and communication, including for monthly board meetings.
• Liaise with NOMAD, legal advisors and the Company’s broker to ensure compliance with AIM, MAR, QCA and other applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Maintain corporate policies and procedures in support of applicable corporate governance and employment regulations (e.g. share trading, GDPR, social media, anti-bribery etc).
• Be responsible (together with NOMAD and broker) for the timely issuance of press releases via LSE’s Regulatory News Service where required.
• Develop and communicate interim (half year) and full year annual reports to shareholders.
• Set up and run the Company’s Annual General Meeting.
• Set appropriate remuneration for employees, directors and officers through the Company’s board and remuneration sub-committee, including (as appropriate) bonuses and share options.

Candidate profile

The successful candidate will be an experienced, high calibre international business executive, with an entrepreneurial spirit and evidence of driving successful growth and innovation. They are likely to have experience in delivering contract services (either as an individual or as part of a larger organisation) and a good knowledge of life sciences (for example drug development or technologies used in support of pharmaceutical R&D or clinical practice). They will be motivated to work in a small company environment where they can make a significant impact.

Professional/technical experience

• A proven track record of success in growing small/medium sized service businesses or business units in life-sciences, preferably in biopharma R&D.
• Extensive current client contacts across the biotech and pharmaceutical industry sector.
• Prior experience of running a company or leading a team of scientific professionals within either a CRO or biopharma setting.
• An understanding of the R&D process for therapeutic drug development and its challenges.
• Knowledge of the international pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector.
• Strong interest in experience of working in a small company environment; willingness to roll up sleeves and get involved in a wide variety of activities.
• Experience or knowledge of issues connected with running a public company helpful but not essential.
• Hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas: quantitative pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, biometrics and clinical development is desirable.

Qualifications

• Good scientific or clinical credentials, ideally to PhD/MD level.
• Demonstrated financial acumen either through relevant experience or a qualification such as MBA.

Personal attributes

• Self-motivated, with a readiness to take on tough challenges and see them through to conclusion.
• Results focused: Ability to set a strategic agenda and to execute to achieve long-term growth.
• Good business acumen: Good understanding of the services business model and the factors to manage for successful growth.
• Excellent communication skills; able to present arguments in a diplomatic, clear, concise, and logical manner, and to influence others positively.
• Confidence, persona and gravitas to interface and negotiate with senior client contacts, and to confidently sell the Company’s capabilities to the outside world.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve problems in a creative and positive manner and effectively maneuver through complex situations – internal and external.
• A strong team leader with the flexibility to work with a wide range of skillsets and personalities consisting of the internal team, consultants, clients and third parties.