Chris Molloy appointed new CEO of Medicines Discovery Catapult

The Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) has appointed its first Chief Executive Officer. Chris Molloy, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the international life science industry, will lead the MDC in developing new approaches for the discovery and early development of new medicines.

Currently CEO at the RSA Group, Chris has significant senior level experience across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, informatics and start-up sectors. He will join MDC in November and work with the MDC’s Board to develop and implement the Catapult’s initial five year business plan, which will be agreed with Innovate UK at the end of this year.  

The MDC is based at Alderley Park in the north west of England, a location chosen as a hub of life science expertise.  The Catapult, the first for drug R&D in the UK, is chaired by life sciences businessman and academic, Professor Graham Boulnois.

Making today’s announcement, Professor Boulnois said:

We are delighted to bring Chris on board as we start our exciting journey at the Medicines Discovery Catapult.  Chris’ experience of leading companies operating in life sciences combined with his in-depth knowledge of drug discovery will be of tremendous value to the company.

He continued:

I am looking forward to working alongside Chris to bring the Medicines Discovery Catapult’s vision alive - enabling the UK to become a world leader in the development of new means of drug discovery, and reducing the number of drugs which don’t make it to market.

Molloy began his career in discovery biology at Glaxo. In addition to broad internal and collaborative drug discovery experience, Chris was involved in Glaxo Wellcome and GSK in delivering transformational change across research by implementing specialist automation and informatics systems. He then moved into biotech as Chief Operating Officer of MerLion Pharmaceuticals, a venture-backed biotechnology company headquartered in Singapore. During Chris’ tenure, MerLion raised significant international finance and advanced two novel antibacterials into clinical development.

On returning to the UK in 2008, he became VP Corporate Development and Marketing at IDBS, a high-growth international software company focussed on improving R&D and healthcare organisations through better access to their R&D data. This included the creation of the UK’s first stratified medicine informatics platform, co-funded with Innovate UK.  His most recent role is as CEO of RSA, a senior-level global Talent Advisory firm specialising in Life Sciences. Chris has held a number of Board and advisory roles and acts as CSO for KFLP Biotech LLP, a virtual drug discovery company focussed on new treatments for HIV.

Chris Molloy said:

I am very much looking forward to building and leading the team at the Medicines Discovery Catapult. The UK has a wealth of talent and capability in drug R&D, and a strong tradition in the sector. Particularly at this time of national change, the UK has the opportunity and responsibility to harness these resources, which will enhance the flow of new drugs to a global market.  The Catapult will be a nexus for great drug R&D science, technology and informatics: delivering multidisciplinary approaches to meet this challenge. Fundamental to its mission will be the fact that great people make great R&D, something I have seen throughout my career and recently in advising RSA’s global clients. The Catapult will engage the UK’s experienced drug discovery talent and help launch a new generation of drug R&D leaders into a successful future. It is an incredibly exciting and forward-thinking organisation that will actively shape the direction of travel in drug discovery and development and enable others in the UK to do so too.

Welcoming the appointment, Innovate UK Chief Executive Ruth McKernan said:

This is an excellent appointment for the Medicines Discovery Catapult. Chris’ long-standing experience and expertise in the international life sciences sector will be invaluable to the Catapult’s development and I look forward to working closely with him.

The MDC will work alongside industry, technologists, academics and regulators from across the country to develop and implement new ways to discover new medicines. By improving efficiency in drug development, the Catapult will also enable the delivery of better medicines to patients in a more cost effective way.

The appointment of Chris Molloy as CEO to the MDC, follows the recruitment of a Board with immense experience in drug discovery and the wider STEM environment.