Artificial intelligence firm hires ex-GSK exec to lead drug discovery

UK-based artificial intelligence firm BenevolentAI has hired Ian Churcher as vice president of drug discovery and preclinical development for its bioscience subsidiary, BenevolentBio.

Mr Churcher joins the company from GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK), where he headed a discovery performance unit focussed on progressing new approaches to drug discovery including the development of protein degradation technology.

The company is harnessing machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to drive scientific breakthroughs in areas including biotechnology.

Previously Mr Churcher led a range of groups at GSK in the areas of medicinal chemistry, new technology and drug discovery and held a visiting professorial appointment at the University of Oxford.

Prior to joining GSK, he worked in the neuroscience group of MSD, the subsidiary of America’s Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK), where he focussed on Alzheimer’s research.

Chief executive Jackie Hunter said: “Ian is well-recognized and respected in the pharma industry. He has focussed much of his career on innovating the drug discovery process and increasing the efficiency of bringing new medicines to patients.”