Dr Frances Guyett, CEO
Dr Frances Guyett has been appointed as CEO for RDDT Pty Ltd commencing the end of August 2006. Frances has had in excess of 20 years experience in senior executive roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries both here in Australia and overseas especially in the USA and Japan. Her experience in the multi-national pharmaceutical companies include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Searle (USA and Japan) and Pharmacia (USA and Japan) in various roles such as Director for Asia Pacific / Latin America, Business Development Director, Group Business Manager, Marketing Manager etc. During Frances' time overseas, she had worked in Japan and USA preparing for the launch of a new cardiovascular drug called Inspra (eplerenone) from Phase II for the USA, Asia Pacific and Latin America regions.
Frances received her Ph.D. and M.B.A. from Monash University, B.Sc. (Hons) from Melbourne University, and GAICD. Also, she has experience as a member of a number of biotechnology Boards and Audit Committees.
Dr Peter Tapley, Research Director
Dr Peter Tapley has a wide understanding of drug discovery and development processes based on 12 plus years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. His resume includes post-doctoral training at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, and Bristol Myers Squibb in Princeton. He also has over 7 years of US industry experience, initially at Ligand Pharmaceuticals in San Diego, and subsequently at GlaxoSmithKline in Philadelphia. Career highlights include his role as program co-leader of a novel small molecule for treatment of thrombocytopenia at GlaxoSmithKline which progressed through pre-clinical studies to clinical studies. Dr Tapley has also actively contributed to the Australian biotechnology sector with over 3 years as a Senior Research Scientist at GroPep Ltd and led the biology group at Cortical Pty Ltd.
Dr LiQing Tu, Quality Manager
Dr LiQing Tu has MBBS and Masters degrees in Medicine, and a PhD degree in toxicology. She also has extensive experience in preclinical GLP and ISO drug safety testing. Prior to joining RDDT, LiQing worked at Fujian Medical University of China as a lecturer and researcher in drug safety evaluation and toxicity testing. Dr Tu has more than 5 years experience in the establishment and management of the RDDT GLP/ISO Quality Systems. She plays a key role in maintaining GLP and ISO accreditation and has successfully managed the expansion of the GLP service Scope for RDDT.
Mr Jonathon Spanos, Business Development Manager
Jonathon is a Biotechnology graduate from the University of Adelaide with postgraduate qualifications in Commercialisation. His background interfaces science, business development and management with experience in various sectors of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in both Australia and Europe. Jonathon has a broad knowledge base in biological sciences, having worked with toxicologists, pharmacologists, immunologists, haematologists and molecular biologists. He also has a strong understanding of the drug development process in particular to issues relating to regulatory affairs, clinical research and problems faced when getting products to market.