Cambridge, UK, 02 May 2017: Metrion Biosciences Limited (Metrion), the specialist ion channel CRO and drug discovery company, today announced the promotion of Andrew Southan to Chief Operating Officer and the appointment of James Beaumont as Head of Business Development.
The changes further strengthen Metrion’s senior management structure and, via the appointment of a highly-experienced business development executive, will facilitate the identification and execution of further growth opportunities for the company.  James Beaumont brings to Metrion over 20 years’ sales, business development and marketing experience within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector and an extensive network of senior level contacts across Europe, North America and New Zealand.  James initially trained as a chemist and obtained both his honours degree and MSc from the University of Sheffield. James has successfully managed multimillion sales budgets within the CRO life sciences sector.
The appointment of Andrew Southan to the post of Chief Operating Officer continues Metrion’s growth strategy, initiated in 2016, and aims to ensure the company continues to provide clients with outstanding quality drug discovery services.  Andrew joined Metrion in October 2016 and has over 25 years’ experience within the life sciences sector, including 14 years managing CRO services.
Dr Keith McCullagh, Chairman of Metrion Biosciences said: “Andy Southan has made a major contribution to Metrion since joining the business last year as Head of Commercial Operations.  Andy’s promotion to COO reflects Metrion’s rapid growth and the confidence we have in his management capabilities. 
At the same time, we are delighted to welcome James Beaumont to Metrion.  He brings a wealth of experience from senior roles in sales and business development at a variety of life science CRO companies, including Evotec, Aptuit and New Zealand Pharmaceuticals.”
James Beaumont commented: “I look forward to contributing to Metrion’s future growth.  The field of ion channel drug discovery is in its infancy and there is a major opportunity to bring the Company’s technical leadership in this field to the international drug discovery and safety testing markets.”