Aurum Biosciences appoints David Brennan as CEO

Glasgow-based novel biopharmaceuticals company Aurum Biosciences has appointed David Brennan as its new CEO.

Brennan will help the company expand its global presence having recently served as interim Chief Executive of Aurum and Principal Clinical Physicist at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

Aurum develops breakthrough therapeutics and diagnostics in areas of unmet clinical need.

Its patented ABL-101 platform technology has the potential to improve outcomes for acute stroke patients.

The technology delivers oxygen to brain tissue under stress beyond the clot and provides acute stroke diagnostics and helping to identify salvageable brain tissue.

Brennan said:

“I’m incredibly proud to have taken up this exciting role, in turn fully committing my future to Aurum Biosciences.

“My NHS background has been in the field of MRI, image analysis, and their clinical applications, so it feels like a natural step, and a huge opportunity for me to now immerse myself in a company that has so much potential to significantly help in some of the clinical areas I have experience in.”

Stroke is the third biggest killer in Scotland, the second leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of disability.

Although Aurum has selected stroke as its first therapeutic target, its novel molecule is also being developed for inflammatory conditions, oncology, cardiovascular conditions, spinal cord injury and dementia.

In 2020, Aurum raised around £670,000 as part of a round of equity funding, enabling it to develop its new treatments and diagnostics.

That funding was supported by InnoScot Health, Infinion Biopharma Limited (Infinion), the Scottish Investment Bank, TRICAPITAL business angel syndicate and individual investors.

Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson, said:

“Our congratulations go to David on this well-deserved appointment.

“He has always been a pivotal member of the Aurum Biosciences team, and now will be spearheading an exciting new era for the company that is filled with opportunity.

“InnoScot Health is proud to be involved in this true homegrown success story and we are certain that much more is to follow, both in Scotland and around the world.

“We look forward to seeing and supporting Aurum’s further expansion.”

Aurum Biosciences launched in 2015 as a clinical stage spinout of InnoScot Health, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the University of Glasgow.