News from Abchurch

Abchurch appoints new Director of Life Sciences

14 March 2011

Abchurch Communications is pleased to announce it has appointed Adam Michael to head its growing Life Sciences and Healthcare practice. He brings a wealth of experience in the sector, particularly in corporate communications and media relations.  

Adam has over 15 years Life Sciences communications experience, including working with early stage biotechs to global brands seeking to attract and secure investment and developmental partners. He has extensive pre and post-IPO financial communications and media relations expertise as well as a strong background in science journalism.

Commenting on his appointment, Adam said: “Life sciences is coming out of hibernation; the London and European markets have seen an increase in life sciences financings over recent months and there is also strong and deep venture financing available for the correct companies. Additionally, the Pharma industry is actively dismantling non-essential internal R&D capabilities, leaving the opportunity for the smaller life science businesses, through partnerships, to replace that infrastructure. I join Abchurch as Head of Life Sciences at an extremely interesting time, and will be working with my clients to open, manage, and maintain the communications channels that enable and underpin their success.”

Julian Bosdet, Chief Executive of Abchurch Communications, said: “I am delighted to welcome Adam to the Abchurch team. His knowledge of the sector is impressive and I am confident that his extensive media experience will be of benefit to the team as a whole.

“The strength of Abchurch’s Corporate and B2B practice is important in raising the profile of young, innovative start-ups and spin-outs in bioscience.  Many companies we are seeing at the moment are early stage and do not have a requirement for Financial PR but through our Corporate and B2B offerings we can help them to build a reputation within both the Industry and the City, to secure commercial partnerships and financing. Many companies see a benefit to staying private and we are here to ensure they have the right communications strategy to support their growth and business models. Strengthening our team in the sector is an important strategic move for Abchurch and I look forward to working with Adam to drive the practice forward.”

Adam will be working with Abchurch’s current clients in the healthcare sector which include LiDCO Group plc, Syntopix Group plc and Medicsight plc.

Media Enquiries
Julian Bosdet
julian.bosdet@abchurch-group.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7398 7701

About Adam Michael
Before joining Abchurch, Adam Michael was Associate Partner and Head of Media Relations at College Hill Life Sciences, where he spent six years directing programmes for drug discovery and development clients, leading VCs, providers of research tools and top conferences. His clients included Cerenis, Prosensa, Roche Pharma Partnering and QIAGEN.

Adam’s previous Life Sciences communications experience includes two years directing accounts at Northbank Communications, over three years as founder of a Cambridge-based boutique biotech communications agency, and a London based Healthcare communications agency.

Prior to working in PR, Adam spent six years in the editorial teams of key sector publications, as European News Editor for BioCentury in Oxford and San Francisco, Associate Editor for Nature Biotechnology, News Editor for Gene Therapy and Assistant Editor at BioBusiness.

Adam graduated with a BSc in Biology which focused on Biochemistry, Genetics, Aquaculture and Economics.