THE chief executive of Belfast-based publicly traded research firm Fusion Antibodies has quit the firm after just a year in the role.
Dr Richard Jones was announced as the new boss of the AIM-listed company in February 2021, replacing founder Paul Kerr.
Fusion Antibodies informed the stock exchange on Monday morning that Dr Jones had resigned from the role “in order to pursue other opportunities”.
The diagnostic specialist said he would remain with the company while arrangements are put in place for a successor, with the board yesterday initiating a formal search for a new chief executive.
Founded in 2001 as a spin-out from Queen’s University Belfast, Fusion Antibodies specializes in pre-clinical antibody discovery, engineering and supply for both therapeutic drug and diagnostic applications.
In late 2017 it joined the AIM, bringing to four the number of publicly traded companies in Northern Ireland.
Dr Paul Kerr, who overseen the IPO, had been the face of the diagnostics firm for two decades until his departure.
He remains involved in the research scene in Belfast, last year incorporating a new company, Atlantic Biosciences.
He later became involved in two other local research start-ups during 2021: Finn Therapeutics and Ailsevax
In a short statement on Monday, Dr Richard Jones said: “I have enjoyed working with the directors and staff of Fusion and wish them well for the future. I believe the company to be well placed to continue to grow in the global antibodies marketplace.”
Fusion Antibodies chair, Dr Simon Douglas, added: "On behalf of the board, I would like thank Richard for his contribution to the company over the last year and wish him well in the future."
