About us

Apex Molecular is a synthetic chemistry company providing specialist synthesis services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology (life sciences) and applied chemical sectors. The company was founded in 2011, moving to state-of-the-art facilities formerly occupied by AstraZenca at Alderley Park in Cheshire in 2015.

We provide fast, reliable, cost effective delivery of laboratory scale chemistry synthesis services for the life sciences and wider chemical sectors. We can undertake projects across the pre-clinical early development phase including multi-FTE collaborations.

We work effectively as an extension of our customers’ teams and bring our skills to drive forward their objectives. Our team is, by design, conscientious, results driven, responsive and adept at finding solutions to chemistry challenges.

We have an experienced management team with collectively over 65 years’ experience in the chemical and life sciences sectors. In addition, we have 40+ years of chemistry experience in our key staff to ensure we select and apply the correct technology solution for our customers’ needs. We pride ourselves on our excellent communication skills and flexible working model to match the needs of our customers.

Dr Tony Flinn – Non-Executive Chairman; Dr Stuart Brown – Chief Executive Officer; Dr Tom Screen – Chief Operating Officer

We also have specific expertise in use of precious metal catalysis and catalytic coupling chemistry using generic or proprietary homogeneous and supported catalysts. With a background of working with the pharmaceutical industry we are very aware of the need to supply high purity and high-quality products.

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Our History

Launch

2011
Company founded with initial founder seed capital
2011
Located at Leeds Innovation Campus

Catalysis Focus

2012
TSB Funding Award – Manufacture of Chiral Amines using Catalytic and Flow processes
2013
Licence to sell Iridicycle catalysts

Niche Chemistry Focus

2013
Successful growth funding round
2013
Expansion into second laboratory
2014
Company achieves profitability FY2014
2015
CfG Grant secured to support relocation to Alderley Park

High Potency Focus

2015
Development capital round to support relocation and expansion
2016
Launch high potency products and services

Continued Growth

2018
Development capital round to support further expansion
2018
Expansion into new lab space to accommodate growing customer portfolio
2019
Relaunched as Apex Molecular
2019
Additional Business Development Manager appointed
2020
Expansion into further lab space and recruitment drive
2020
Addition of new equipment to strengthen our capabilities including: Ozonolysis, PhotoRedOx and two Waters Acquity UPLCMS systems
2021
Purchased new Bruker 400 MHz NMR
2021
Expanded further with the opening of our new 3000sqft lab space

Key People

Stuart joined Apex Molecular in 2014 and has jointly developed the company’s business strategy and grown the customer portfolio. Previously he worked as an R&D Project Leader with Avecia, and prior to that worked as a Chemistry Team Leader at SAFC Pharma (formerly Ultrafine Chemicals Ltd). In both roles he was responsible for the technical management and delivery of customer projects. With 20 years’ experience in the Chemical Industry Stuart brings a wealth of both technical and commercial experience to the company.
Thomas worked for six years at catalyst technology company Reaxa as R&D manager developing applications and variants of the company’s encapsulated EnCatTM metal catalysts and new immobilisation technologies. He previously worked on FTE and custom synthesis projects at Peakdale Molecular and has a PhD and post-doctoral background in organic synthesis and catalytic reactions. An experienced project manager, including two RDA funded research projects and leading a current £1.4M multi-partner TSB supported project, and with nine years of technology and chemistry process development, Thomas will provide project management and line management for the company’s operations.
Tony is a Venture Partner with Catapult’s GM&C Life Sciences Fund, where he helps assess service company (CRO) investment opportunities and works with the Fund’s smaller investments to enable companies to successfully grow. Tony is a well-known non-executive director and motivational speaker who co-founded Onyx Scientific in 2000 to offer contract chemistry services to many of the world’s leading drug developers. He grew the business to become one the fastest growing technology companies in the UK, employing more than 60 staff at its peak, managed an MBO in 2007, and ultimately sold the business in 2011. Tony began his career as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, first with the Cancer Research Institute, and then with Oxford University. After a period as a Research Chemist with Dow Chemical he began the first of several business development roles.
Formerly Vice President of Avecia’s Pharmaceutical Products business and CEO of Reaxa Ltd which was sold to Johnson Matthey. Peter is also co-founder and Non-Executive Director of Redx Pharma and founder of ADC Biotechnology and has over twenty five years’ experience in the sector including the commercialisation of innovative technologies and forming, funding, development and exiting of technology start-ups. Peter provides Apex Molecular with valuable strategic guidance and commercial support.
Mark is an experienced business leader and former COO of Cyprotex prior to its sale to Evotec AG in 2014. He also has expertise in law previously specialising in corporate finance, venture capital and banking.
Acceleris Capital provides corporate finance advice and raises funds for early and development stage businesses and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Acceleris are able to offer a wide range of funding solutions for SMEs.
Phil has a background in synthetic medicinal chemistry and held a postdoc position at Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Centre at Stanford University before working as a process chemist for GSK. He has extensive experience in business development and prides himself on building lasting client relationships.
Apex Molecular has an experienced team of synthetic organic chemists available to execute our customer-driven chemistry projects. Our team comprises of predominantly experienced PhD and MSc trained chemists, who boast a wealth of industry experience.