Simon Craige

MSc, ERT, DABT, FRCPath

Simon has over 20 years’ nonclinical and toxicology experience working in contract research, medical and pharmaceutical organisations across multiple disciplines. These include small molecules, vaccines, biologics, and medical devices. He has experience of a diverse range of therapeutic areas (including oncology, CNS, ocular and dermal) and across various phases of drug discovery and development.

As well as a Master’s degree in toxicology from the University of Birmingham, professional credentials include European Registered Toxicologist (ERT) since 2012, American Board Registered Toxicologist (DABT) since 2014 and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists in Toxicology (FRCPath) in 2025. He’s currently a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT), American College of Toxicology (ACT), British Society of Toxicology (BTS) and European Teratology Society (ETS).

Read more here

Dr Duncan Armstrong

PhD

Duncan is an expert pharmacologist with an international reputation in secondary and safety pharmacology, gained over 18 years in drug discovery and development at AstraZeneca and Novartis. Having worked with project teams at all stages of discovery and development across multiple therapy areas, he has a track record of optimising small molecule off-target safety profiles and in understanding and interpreting target-related safety risks. Duncan enjoys bringing his passion for pharmacology to successful collaborative teams.

Read more here

Dr Laurence Bishop

PhD

Laurence is an experienced DMPK and toxicological Scientist, with 20 years of non-clinical drug development and chemical experience at medium and large CROs as well as within AstraZeneca. Specialising in Business Development for the last 13 years Laurence combines a passion for appropriate pharmaceutical development and a knowledge of project scientific and commercial needs. he is well placed to support both our customers and ApconiX to best deliver non-clinical safety programmes. Laurence has a proven track record for communication, ownership, integrity and delivery, building mutually beneficial and lasting customer relationships.

Read more here

Kemal Haque

PhD

Kemal is a toxicologist with 25 years’ experience supporting biopharma projects (from early discovery through marketing authorisation) across different therapeutic areas, target classes, and modalities (small molecules, biologics, and targeted drug conjugates). Kemal has worked in both small biotech and large pharma organisations and has a track record of designing and delivering fit-for-purpose safety assessment strategies and successfully devising risk mitigation approaches.

Tanya Coleman

PhD

Tanya has more than 25 years’ experience in pharmaceutical project teams as a nonclinical ADME specialist and clinical pharmacologist. She held project and team leader roles at several large pharma companies before becoming an independent consultant.  In these roles, she has supported research teams as well as early and late clinical development projects, with a particular strength in oncology and infection.  Tanya has also led specialist groups in in vitro metabolism and drug transporters.

Olivia Turner

Olivia has recently completed her second year studying Biomedical Sciences at Sheffield University. Choosing to take the Physiology and Pharmacology route in her second year, Olivia is currently on a placement year (jointly with ApconiX and Aptus Clinical) to gain greater understanding of drug development and the pharmaceutical industry. She hopes to be able to finish her degree and move straight to studying for a Ph.D. Versatile, enthusiastic and highly adaptive, Olivia is a great addition to the ApconiX office as she learns about the essential role of drug safety in pharmaceuticals as well as what it’s like to be part of a growing company.

Read more here

Andrew Winkley

PhD, DABT

Andrew has over 20 years of drug safety experience in industry at AstraZeneca and Vertex. He has a broad scientific background that includes mechanistic and regulatory toxicology, and biochemistry. His drug development experience covers the complete life cycle of drug development from discovery to late-stage development in several therapeutic areas including orphan indications, neuroscience, pain therapeutics, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, and oncology. Andrew has been involved in bringing several candidate molecules to clinical trials and most recently completed an NDA/MAA for a cystic fibrosis drug. Andrew is a highly adaptive project toxicologist who can assimilate and interpret a broad range of data from various disciplines to provide clear guidance to the project team.

Dr Paul Duffy

PhD, ERT, FBTS

Paul is senior project toxicologist with particular expertise in new modalities including RNA therapeutics and regenerative medicines. He is an extremely highly experienced project toxicologist with invaluable submission experience in multiple territories including repurposing of existing drug projects for new applications. He has served on the BTS Executive and Communication Committees and SOT Committees and has many publications in peer reviewed journals. Paul is former senior Project Toxicologist at AstraZeneca and a former board member of Stem cells for Safer Medicines (SC4SM).  Paul is a Fellow of the BTS and the RSB and a UK/EU Registered Toxicologist.