Core Team

Chris Wood - Medical Director

Chris has more than 20 years of experience in the biotechnology sector, and brings his significant medical and drug development skills to our senior team where he will be co-advising on the clinical development programme for the business.

Previously co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Bioenvision Inc from 1999, the business grew under his leadership from a modest entrepreneurial venture to a leading biotech company (NASDAQ: BIV), with a market capitalisation of $345 million. Bioenvision was acquired by Genzyme Corporation in October 2007.

Robert Spavin - Chief Operating Officer

Robert has played a vital role in the business since he joined in 2003, as Legal Counsel responsible for the company's legal, regulatory affairs and intellectual property. Qualifying as a solicitor with City of London firm Herbert Smith in 1996, he subsequently specialised in IP law at leading IP firm Bird & Bird.  

He has been actively involved in the funding of growth technology companies, patent litigation and in the negotiation and drafting of intellectual property agreements throughout his career.

Joe Conner - Chief Scientific Officer

Joe Conner has 20 years experience in the scientific research industry. He possesses extensive expertise in virology and molecular and cell biology, and substantial experience in protein purification / characterisation and antibody production.

He has developed research studies in the department of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Glasgow, at the Hospital of Pontchaillou (France), at the MRC Virology Unit (Glasgow) and at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Additionally he has been Consultant Molecular Biologist to Viragen (Scotland), published 44 papers and has several patents granted.

Hugh Griffith - Biotech Specialist

Hugh Griffith has over eighteen years of senior executive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, having held CEO, COO and Executive Director positions. Hugh brings considerable experience in drug development and commercialisation and will advise VIRTTU on both strategic and operational plans.

He is co-founder and CEO of Nucana BioMed and has worked for Abbott Laboratories, Parke-Davis/Warner Lambert, and QuantaNova. Working with Chris Wood, he led Bioenvision's operations, from start-up to a global, fully integrated, NASDAQ National Market listed, biopharmaceutical company. Hugh was instrumental in increasing Bioenvision's market capitalization from $22 million to $345 million in five years, culminating in the company's successful acquisition.

Richard Joynt - Chief Financial Officer

A highly skilled finance director, Richard will bring a wealth of business-critical strategic and leadership skills to our company when he officially joins as Chief Financial Officer under a consultancy agreement in September 2011. 

With a career spanning 17 years, Richard qualified as a Chartered Accountant whilst working for Arthur Andersen UK in 1997. Practiced at fostering strong relationships across organisations and their stakeholders, he has successfully performed the role of CFO for a family office and two e-commerce businesses.

Alex Graham - Research and Development Manager

Alex Graham has more than 30 years of experience as a scientist in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, having most recently worked as a Principal Scientist for AstraZeneca / Zeneca / ICI.

He has led several small molecule discovery projects and most recently was responsible for the Genomics Facility for AstraZeneca Oncology. He was also responsible for introducing relevant new technologies into the Oncology business, specifically in the areas of biomarkers and translational medicine. Alex has worked as an independent scientific consultant for the last 3 years.