Concept Life Sciences Taps ‘Drug Hunter’ to Guide Innovation Strategy

CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH, United Kingdom – January 19, 2026 – Concept Life Sciences has appointed seasoned drug discovery expert Dr. Adam Davenport as its new Chief Scientific Officer, a strategic move designed to bolster its integrated drug discovery services for its global biotech and pharmaceutical partners. The appointment signals a significant investment in top-tier scientific leadership as the contract research organization (CRO) continues an aggressive growth phase marked by acquisitions and facility expansions.

Dr. Davenport, a recognized authority in the field with over 60 patents and publications to his name, joins the company at a pivotal moment. His appointment is expected to enhance the firm's ability to navigate complex scientific challenges and accelerate the translation of novel concepts into clinical realities.

A Proven ‘Drug Hunter’ Takes the Helm

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Davenport has earned the moniker of a “drug hunter” for his exceptional track record of advancing complex therapeutic programs from initial concept to clinical evaluation. His career is distinguished by leadership roles at the forefront of drug discovery. Most recently, he served as Chief Discovery Officer at Proxygen, where he was instrumental in developing molecular glue degraders, one of the most promising new therapeutic modalities.

Prior to that, he was the Chief R&D Officer at Dalriada Drug Discovery, leading oncology-focused collaborations. However, the bulk of his experience was forged during a nearly two-decade tenure at Evotec, a major European drug discovery powerhouse, where he rose to the position of Executive Vice President and Head of Molecular Discovery. His extensive background provides him with a deep understanding of the operational and scientific demands of both large-scale CROs and nimble biotech firms.

His credentials are not merely corporate; they are cemented in the clinic. Dr. Davenport led the discovery of several assets that progressed into human trials. Among these are the P2X3R antagonists Eliapixant and Filopixant, which achieved Phase 2a Proof-of-Concept for treating persistent chronic cough. While development partner Bayer ultimately discontinued Eliapixant in 2022 after a review of its risk-benefit profile, the experience of guiding a novel compound through mid-stage clinical trials provides invaluable insight into the complexities and high attrition rates of pharmaceutical R&D. He also discovered the Bradykinin B1R antagonist Fulimetibant, which entered Phase 2a trials for diabetic neuropathic pain.

A Calculated Move in an Evolving Market

Dr. Davenport’s appointment is the latest in a series of strategic moves that underscore Concept Life Sciences' ambition to become a dominant player in the integrated CRO space. The company, backed by Limerston Capital, has been actively expanding its capabilities and footprint. In November 2024, it acquired Charnwood Discovery, a fellow UK-based CRO, significantly strengthening its expertise in chemistry, biology, and ADME/DMPK services.

This was followed by the official opening of its expanded integrated drug discovery headquarters in Chapel-en-le-Frith in September 2025. The state-of-the-art site, now one of the UK's largest drug discovery facilities, co-locates chemistry, ADMET, and screening biology to foster seamless collaboration and streamline project timelines. The company also forged a strategic partnership with bioinformatics provider Fios Genomics in July 2025 to offer clients deeper data analysis capabilities.

These moves are well-timed. The global CRO market is increasingly favoring providers who offer end-to-end, integrated solutions. Furthermore, geopolitical shifts, such as the US BIOSECURE Act passed in 2024, are expected to drive more business towards Western CROs as pharmaceutical companies seek to de-risk their supply chains from reliance on certain Chinese contractors. By investing heavily in its UK-based facilities and leadership, Concept Life Sciences is positioning itself as a stable and scientifically robust partner.

Harnessing Cutting-Edge Therapeutic Modalities

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Dr. Davenport’s hiring is his deep expertise in innovative and highly sought-after therapeutic modalities. He is a pioneer in targeted protein degradation (TPD) and covalent drug discovery, two areas poised to revolutionize treatment for a host of diseases.

TPD represents a paradigm shift from traditional pharmacology. Instead of merely inhibiting a disease-causing protein, TPD co-opts the cell’s own protein disposal system to selectively destroy it. This approach, which includes technologies like PROTACs and the molecular glues Dr. Davenport worked on at Proxygen, can target proteins previously considered “undruggable.” This opens up new avenues for treating cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory conditions. With the TPD market projected to grow exponentially, his expertise gives Concept Life Sciences a critical competitive edge.

Similarly, his knowledge of covalent drug discovery is highly valuable. After falling out of favor for years due to toxicity concerns, covalent inhibitors—which form a strong, stable bond with their target—are experiencing a major resurgence. Modern design techniques have made them safer and more selective, leading to highly potent drugs with prolonged effects, particularly in oncology and virology. Dr. Davenport's ability to lead programs in these technically demanding areas will be a key asset for the company's clients.

Accelerating the Path from Concept to Clinic

For biotech and pharmaceutical companies, speed and success are the ultimate metrics. Concept Life Sciences prides itself on an accelerated development timeline, claiming it has helped clients advance candidates from concept to clinic in as little as 32 months, far outpacing the industry average of 60 months. To date, the company has helped 29 drug candidates reach the clinic.

Dr. Davenport's role will be central to maintaining and enhancing this efficiency. His leadership is expected to refine the company's scientific strategy and ensure its multi-disciplinary teams operate at the highest level.

"We are delighted to welcome Adam to the team during this period of significant growth for Concept Life Sciences," said Jonathan Critchley, the company's interim CEO. "His passion for science, track record in delivering clinical quality assets, and proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams across the UK, Europe, and the US, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our integrated discovery facilities and deliver valuable inflexion points for our global clients."

Dr. Davenport himself pointed to the company's existing strengths as a key reason for joining.

"Concept Life Sciences has built an incredible reputation for scientific excellence and agile project execution," he commented. "I’m excited to join such a talented team and look forward to supporting customers in effectively navigating the complexities of drug discovery across all modalities to bring the most effective life-changing therapies to patients, more quickly."