Biotech heavyweights join Alchemia board

Brisbane firm Alchemia has beefed up its board with the appointments of seasoned biotechnology executive Mel Bridges as chairman and two new non-executive directors, including ex-Amgen consultant Dr Errol Malta and former Minter Ellison lawyer Nerolie Withnall.

The appointments come as the company, which is tipped to go to IPO in the next six months, prepares to move forward with pre-clinical development of its antibacterial lead compound.

"We're going forward with pre-clinical development and commercialisation of our first product, so we wanted to get more industry experience on our board," CEO Dr Tracie Ramsdale said. "It reflects the evolution of the company."

According to Ramsdale, Bridges and Malta in particular will provide the company with expertise in developing and commercialising products.

Former Panbio CEO Bridges has around 25 years of experience in the biotechnology sector in Australia, and is currently chairman of several companies including Peptech, Genetic Solutions, Farmacule and ToxiTech.

Biotech consultant Malta brings with him 14 years in the industry including 10 years at Amgen, where he was responsible for taking five new molecules into the clinic. Most recently he joined Monash University spin-off Cortical as the chairman, and is on the board of another biotech company as well.