Avacta appoints expert to lead technology development team

DIAGNOSTICS group Avacta has recruited Dr Matt Johnson, formerly of Abcam, one of the leading providers of research antibodies, to lead its affimer technology development and production teams.

Affimer technology can produce man-made antibodies that Wetherby-based Avacta says are more resilient, cheaper and stronger than animal antibodies.

The company recently raised £4.7m through a share placing to expand its capabilities and facilities and to commercialise the first affimer products. The recruitment of Dr Johnson, who was head of R&D at Abcam, is an integral part of this expansion, said Avacta.

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Alastair Smith, chief executive of Avacta Group, said: “I am delighted that Matt is joining Avacta to lead the Affimer development and operations team. It is a very strong validation of the potential of affimers as an alternative to antibodies.

“Matt will work closely with the team to accelerate and de-risk the development programme and to deliver Affimer products to the market.

“He brings a wealth of technical, commercial and strategic experience and we are very much looking forward to working with him.”

Elsewhere, Wakefield-based digital, creative and PR agency B42 said it has responded to increased workload with a new appointment and office space.

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The firm has appointed Abigail Holt as office manager, whilst increasing its office space to potentially accommodate a further four new staff members.

Ms Holt joins the team from Wilson Contracts where she was office administrator for seven months and prior to that she worked for Chicho in a PR and account handling role, managing office workflow and writing press releases.

Yorkshire law firm Gordons has appointed four trainee lawyers. Alice Robinson, Catie Woodward, Sam Cremore and Jenny Herdman have now begun two-year training contracts.