(WebFG News) - AIM-quoted drug discovery and development firm Redx has found its new chief executive officer in former AstraZeneca UK president Lisa Anson, marking a "new beginning" as the company sought to build a "substantial biotech company".
Anson, who has been with AstraZeneca for two decades, will officially be appointed to Redx's board on 1 June, bringing experience to the role from her many senior management roles in both the US and the UK, including global vice president of oncology and vice president of emerging brands, where she worked closely with AstraZeneca's research and development teams.

Iain Ross, currently Redx's executive chairman, who will revert to being non-executive chairman upon Anson's joining, said, "Following the events of 2017 Lisa has been tasked by the board to lead the re-launch of the company and to take the steps necessary to build a substantial biotech company built upon an innovative science base, selectively acquiring additional assets, if appropriate."

"Lisa is a consummate business professional, who brings a wealth of relevant experience from the international pharmaceutical and biotech sector. I am confident that, as CEO, she is the right person to grow this company into a very exciting and meaningful entity that has the potential to create both important new medicines for patients and generate significant value for shareholders," he added.

Anson, who is also the current president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said, "I am incredibly excited by the opportunity to lead Redx on the next stage of its journey to be a leading UK Biotech company. The team have impressed me and The Company now has a clear focus on some very exciting areas of science in both fibrosis and cancer where there are a number of ongoing programmes. I look forward to working with the team and the Board to build and develop Redx to its full potential"

As of 0830 BST, shares had shot up 12.32% to 7.02p.

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