Stephen Kirk

Stephen Kirk joins ApconiX as a Consultant in Nonclinical Safety and Regulatory Strategy, bringing thirty years of expertise in drug development. Stephen provides design, oversight, and interpretation of nonclinical safety studies, along with regulatory documentation support including CTD Module 2, IND, CTA, and PIP/PSP authoring. An immunologist by training, Stephen has held senior roles at Covance (Labcorp), KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Allergy Therapeutics, and Scendea, specializing in immunotoxicology and regulatory submissions. He served as Interim Global Lead of Immunology/Immunotoxicology at Covance and earned a postgraduate certificate in Biopharmaceutical Drug Development from the University of Leeds. At ApconiX.

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Brandon Coke

PhD

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Yvonne Will

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Andrew Fleetwood

PhD

Andrew Fleetwood joins our Toxicology and DMPK Consultancy Team as a Toxicology specialist, working closely with Dr Richard Knight to support clients in late-stage medicine development. He brings extensive expertise in non-clinical regulatory toxicology, including preparation of regulatory submissions, responses to health authority questions, and post-authorisation activities. His background leading non-clinical regulatory strategy at Pfizer strengthens ApconiX’s capabilities in regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and late-phase development strategy. Andrew also adds specialist knowledge in impurities and extractables and leachables, helping clients plan qualification strategies and manage manufacturing and packaging risks.

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Andreas Hartmann

PhD

Andreas Hartmann joined the Toxicology and DMPK Consultancy Team as an associate non-clinical safety specialist, advising project teams, defining toxicology strategies, and supporting regulatory interactions. He brings extensive leadership experience from his past role, where he led global preclinical safety teams delivering non-clinical programmes from target identification through post-marketing across multiple therapeutic areas and drug modalities. His background in genetic toxicology, impurities safety, and complex regulatory submissions significantly strengthens our non-clinical safety offering. Andreas also adds strong regulatory and industry-facing expertise, including engagement with regulators on high-profile safety topics.

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Simone Stahl

PhD

Dr Simone Stahl is joining the Safety Science Group as a Principal Scientist, supporting the Safety Sciences portfolio, streamlining processes, and mentoring junior team members. With nearly 19 years at AstraZeneca, Simone brings extensive expertise in tumour immunology, mechanistic and molecular toxicology, ADME sciences, and in vitro model development. She has contributed to liver toxicity screening, drug transporter research, discovery toxicology, and the development of novel tools across a wide range of drug modalities. Simone is excited to bring her deep industry experience to ApconiX and strengthen SSG’s expert toxicologist-led Target Safety Assessment and mechanistic toxicity services.

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Zac Murray

Placement Student

Zac is a Neuroscience student from the University of Warwick with hands-on experience in manual patch-clamp techniques. He is joining ApconiX as an industry placement student for one year as part of his BSc. He will work across both the Ion Channel Laboratory and Safety Science Group, contributing to project support. Zac is passionate about Neuroscience and is keen to learn more in the lab.

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Stanley Boamah

Placement student

Stanley is a microbiology student from the University of Nottingham with laboratory experience in molecular biology and microbiology. He is joining ApconiX for one year as an industry placement as part of his degree and will support both the Ion Channel Laboratory and Safety Science Group. Stanley is a jovial team player who likes to learn and is eager to broaden his horizon across both teams.

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Sean Brennan

PhD

Dr. Sean Brennan joins ApconiX in the Ion Channel Laboratory and will help with screening services and bridge the gap between electrophysiology laboratory work and advanced analytical approaches. With a PhD researching Kv7 ion channels and extensive postdoctoral experience spanning hERG screening, cardiovascular research, and the development of DeepChannel—an AI-assisted analysis tool—Sean brings deep technical expertise to the team through his diverse academic background combined with commercial evaluation experience through the ICURe Discover programme. Sean is a great team-player who enjoys learning and expanding his knowledge.

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Emma Bishop

PhD

Emma Bishop is a Senior Scientist within the immunotoxicology team at ApconiX. She holds a PhD from the university of Birmingham which was focused on the metabolic and function role of TNF-α signalling in T-cells in the context of health and autoimmune disease. Emma primarily is involved in the authoring of high quality target safety assessments, where her strong background in immunology is applied to scientific evaluation of primary target based risks. Emma also has practical experience with both small and large molecules and has been involved with in vitro assay development and interpretation, including for mechanistic toxicology application within an industrial setting. Emma ha a track record of providing a comprehensive and collaborative approach to advance research projects

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