Nicki Thompson joins Camena Bioscience from Amphista Therapeutics as chair of the board
Camena Bioscience, the synthetic biology company providing genes to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, has appointed Dr Nicola Thompson as chair of its board of directors.
Following its $10m Series A financing earlier in the year, the appointment forms part of the company’s growth plans to expand commercialisation of its pioneering DNA synthesis platform, gSynth.
Dr Steve Harvey, CEO, Camena Bioscience, said: “Nicola is a successful CEO and chair and a fantastic addition to the board.”
He added: “With pharma’s increased focus and collective commitment to decarbonising health systems, Camena is leading the way with a green synthesis technology focused on reducing waste associated with traditional DNA synthesis methods.
“Our proposition is disrupting the existing DNA synthesis market.”
Dr Thompson said: “Camena has a uniquely differentiated technology to address the limitations of traditional DNA synthesis approaches and I’m looking forward to working with the team, executing on Camena’s mission to build the leading DNA synthesis company.”
Dr Thompson won the CEO of the Year award at the 2023 Cambridge Independent Science & Technology Awards during her four-and-a-half-year tenure at Amphista Therapeutics.
A spokesperson for Amphista Therapeutics said: “Nicki is stepping back and the company is seeking a new CEO to take the reins and drive Amphista forward through the next stage of its journey.
“As we work to recruit Amphista’s next CEO, we are pleased that our chief business and operating officer, Beverley Carr – who has over 20 years’ experience in business development in biotech and pharmaceutical company leadership – will take on the role of interim CEO.”
