Concept Life Sciences Expands Expertise with Key Appointments to Scientific Advisory Board and Investments to Strengthen Drug Discovery Capabilities

Concept Life Sciences, a leading integrated drug discovery, development, and manufacturing organisation backed by Limerston Capital, today announced key strategic appointments and advancements to further strengthen its services for the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

We are pleased to welcome Professor Luke O’Neill, and Dr. Shane Liddelow to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), while Dr. Ian Waddell, who joined the Board of Directors last year, continues to provide invaluable leadership.

The appointments to the SAB reinforce our position as a leading partner for innovative drug discovery solutions. Professor O’Neill and Dr. Liddelow bring a wealth of expertise across immunology and neuroscience, respectively, enhancing our ability to meet the evolving needs of the global life sciences industry.

We have made major advancements in automated solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) capabilities. Combined with in-house peptide experts, this enables it to accelerate client projects requiring challenging custom peptide solutions.

In addition, we made a significant investment, amounting to a five-figure sum in GBP, to enhance our capabilities in Automated ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion) systems and the purchase of a Supercritical Fluid Chromatography purification instrument. This strategic investment drives industry-leading assay turnaround times with no minimum volume requirement and strengthens our ability to provide high-quality, tailored services, particularly for complex drug discovery projects.

These investments further solidify Concept Life Sciences standing as a key partner to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, providing comprehensive drug discovery services from early-stage research through to clinical trials.

The news follows the company's acquisition of Charnwood Discovery which completed at the end of 2024 and further enhances our integrated drug discovery offer. This underlines the business’s growth strategy, demonstrating its ambitions and further strengthening its ability to accelerate drug candidates to clinic with high success rates and across different modalities.

About the Scientific Advisory Board Members:

• Professor Luke O’Neill, FRS, is an immunologist and Chair of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin. With over 460 peer-reviewed publications, his research focuses on inflammation, innate immunity, and immunometabolism, providing deep expertise in areas critical to drug discovery. Professor O’Neill has received over 110,000 citations and has an h-index of 160, underscoring his significant contributions to the field
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• Dr. Shane Liddelow is an Associate Professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, specialising in neurodegenerative diseases. His research into the role of astrocytes in diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s offers valuable insight for neurodegenerative drug discovery. Dr. Liddelow has garnered over 30,000 citations and holds an h-index of 52, which reflects his important research in neurodegeneration
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• Dr. Ian Waddell, appointed to the Board of Directors last year, has more than 27 years of experience across all stages of drug discovery. His expertise spans cardiovascular and oncology disease areas, and his leadership in the field has been instrumental in advancing drug development programs

Ben Cliff, CEO of Concept Life Sciences, commented:

“The addition of Luke, Shane, and Ian to our advisory and leadership teams is an exciting step in enhancing our scientific expertise and global service offering.

As we strive to stay at the forefront of research and innovation, our continued investments in technology and talent, including our protein production capabilities and cutting-edge purification systems, reinforce our commitment to delivering high-quality, integrated services to the global biopharmaceutical community.”

Dr. Ian Waddell, added:

"My role with the Scientific Advisory Board allows me to contribute from a strategic leadership perspective, ensuring that our scientific initiatives align with the company's broader goals.

The expertise of Professor O'Neill and Dr. Liddelow, combined with continued investments in cutting-edge technologies, reinforces CLS’s commitment to advancing drug discovery and I look forward to collaborating with such a distinguished panel to drive impactful outcomes for clients and the wider industry."

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