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LINK, the innovative developer and manufacturer of nucleic acid reagents, has announced the incorporation of a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), and the first two appointments of Drs Brian Sproat and Thomas Rupp.

LINK’s SAB will identify and prioritise the development of new nucleic acid reagents designed to help researchers synthesise novel oligonucleotide therapeutics and diagnostics. The SAB will also support the management team in identifying other markets where LINK’s chemistry expertise can be beneficial.

Brian Sproat (currently Managing Director, Chemconsilium GCV) has worked in the oligonucleotide market since its inception over 30 years ago. A graduate of the University of Oxford, Brian has worked at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge), EMBL (Heidelberg), Innovir GmbH (Göttingen), and RNA-Tec, which became Integrated DNA Technologies BVBA (Leuven). At Chemconsilium he consults primarily for pharma and biotech companies on all aspects of oligonucleotide chemistry. He has published more than 100 scientific articles, has authored/co-authored 14 book chapters and is inventor/co-inventor on several patents.

Of his appointment, Brian said: “I have known several members of LINK for 30 years and I am now delighted to be invited to join their SAB, working with such an enthusiastic team with the aim to focus and strengthen the product portfolio to match existing and future market needs”.

Thomas Rupp (owner of Thomas Rupp Consulting) has worked in the oligonucleotide industry for almost 30 years, including spells at EMBL and Innovir GmbH with Brian Sproat. Having also worked at Noxxon AG (Berlin) on Spiegelmer synthesis, Amersham Biosciences (now GE Healthcare) as a Technical Application Specialist, and Girindus AG (now Nitto Denko Avecia) to support Business Development in Europe and Asia, Thomas has vast expertise in large scale oligonucleotide manufacturing.

Thomas commented: “It is an honour to be asked to join the SAB of such a progressive, respected company. I have known and admired LINK for a long time, and now look forward to contributing directly to their future success.”

Dr Catherine McKeen, Head of Technology Commercialisation at LINK, added: “Lengthy and diverse experience in both the academic and commercial oligonucleotide sectors, including many successful projects with LINK, make Brian and Thomas valuable additions to our inaugural SAB. We are delighted to have appointed two such highly respected and experienced thought-leaders in the nucleic acid field, who will now directly help shape our future product development.”

LINK anticipates appointing further scientific experts to the SAB in due course.

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