SAB will provide scientific oversight and strategic advice to support Metrion’s ion channel screening, cardiac safety testing, and native tissue and human stem cell translational assays

Metrion Biosciences Limited (“Metrion”), the specialist ion channel contract research and drug discovery company, today announced that it has established a Science Advisory Board (SAB) to provide strategic scientific guidance to the Company. The members of the SAB have been selected for their extensive and diverse experience in ion channel screening, cardiac safety testing, neuroscience research and native tissue and human stem cell translational assays, all of which are fields of interest to Metrion.

The SAB has been formed as the Company begins its third full year of commercial operations.  The advice and assistance of the SAB is expected to facilitate further expansion and innovative development of the Company’s ion channel services and collaborative drug discovery projects.

The SAB will be chaired by Dr Keith McCullagh, Metrion’s non-executive Chairman, and its members will include Dr Marc Rogers, CSO, Metrion, with four external experts:

Dr David Reynolds, Chief Scientific Officer, Alzheimer’s Research UK. David has a wealth of CNS drug discovery experience gained at Merck, Lundbeck and Pfizer, and is an expert in psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Dr Tom Colatsky, Principal, Marshview Life Science Advisors. Tom has over thirty years of drug discovery experience, including seven years in senior U.S. Food and Drug Administration positions. He is a recognised expert on ion channel pharmacology and cardiac safety, including the new Comprehensive In vitro Proarrhythmia (CiPA) regulatory approach.

Professor Annette Dolphin, Professor of Pharmacology, University College London. Annette is widely recognised as a leading expert in the field of neuronal calcium channels.

Professor Chris Denning, Professor and Head of the Department of Stem Cell Biology, University of Nottingham. Chris is a highly experienced stem cell biologist with over twenty years’ experience in the field, spearheading efforts to industrialise stem cells for academic and commercial drug discovery, and regenerative medicine applications.

Marc Rogers, Chief Scientific Officer, Metrion Biosciences, said: “Metrion is delighted to welcome such distinguished scientists to our SAB. Their advice and guidance will be invaluable as we move forward with delivering innovative and effective ion channel drug discovery projects and technologies.”