EUSA Pharma founder to chair Glide Pharma

Glide Pharma has appointed Bryan Morton as its new non-executive chairman.

Morton replaces Mark Kirby at the UK-based company, which focuses on developing treatments that use its solid dose injector platform for administration.

Morton was most recently chief executive at oncology specialist EUSA Pharma – a company he also founded. EUSA was sold to Jazz Pharmaceuticals in 2012 for $700m.

His other entrepreneurial experience in the industry includes founding Zeneus Pharma, which was acquired by Cephalon for $360m.

Other previous positions held by Morton include president of Convatec EMEA, as well as a string of senior roles during a 20-year career at Merck & Co.

“His significant experience of building successful pharmaceutical companies will prove invaluable as Glide begins its next stage of development,” said Kirby on the appointment of his successor.

Commenting on the future of Glide Pharma under his direction Morton said: "Having completed a significant investment round earlier this year and winning a large funding award from the UK Biomedical Catalyst, the company is well positioned, and I look forward to helping the team exploit the value of Glide's unique technology.”

In addition to the appointment of Morton, Glide also announced that Dr Charles Potter is to step down from the board and his role as the company's chief business officer.