Cancer Research UK announces new chief business officer

Tony Hickson, who is currently managing director at Imperial Innovations Limited, the technology transfer office for Imperial College London, will take up this post in August.

Dr Iain Foulkes, Cancer Research UK’s executive director of research and innovation, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Tony Hickson as our new chief business officer. Tony will be a huge asset to the charity, bringing great experience and ambition to our research and innovation activities. Commercial development of our research is a key route through which Cancer Research UK ensures the most promising scientific discoveries are translated into urgently needed new treatments, diagnostics and technologies for patients with cancer.”

As an experienced technology start-up company director, he has a strong track record in fundraising, negotiation and industrial collaborations. He has led technology transfer activities that have delivered substantial value back to Imperial College London, as well as being involved in the creation of spin-out companies with a combined value of over £500m. These include Thiakis, Polytherics/Abzena, Circassia, CellMedica, Catapult Therapy TCR, Myotec/PsiOxus and Precision Robotics.

Tony was also recently instrumental in the creation of the £40m Apollo Therapeutics Fund as well as the launch of the Founders Choice® initiative at Imperial. Tony Hickson said: “I’m delighted to join Cancer Research UK at such an exciting time for the charity’s commercial development. I look forward to taking a lead role in the planned expansion of the charity’s commercialisation activity, building a hub for strategic research innovation, welcoming new partners and strengthening our relationships with industry.”

For media enquiries contact Kathryn Ingham in the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 3469 5475 or, out of hours, on 07050 264 059.

Cancer Research UK’s commercial activity operates through Cancer Research Technology Ltd. (CRT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cancer Research UK. It is the legal entity which pursues drug discovery research in themed alliance partnerships and delivers varied commercial partnering arrangements. 

About Cancer Research UK

• Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
• Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
• Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.
• Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years.
• Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.