Aesica Appoints Ian Muir to Newly Created Commercial Managing Director Position

Aesica, the global pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has  appointed Ian Muir to the newly created position of Commercial Managing Director, effective from 24 February 2014. The position is reflective of the company’s plans for further global expansion and has international responsibility for all aspects of the commercial business.

The creation of the role reflects the strategic decision of Aesica to focus on its core commercial activities, with a global leadership structure primarily dedicated to the customer base. Ian Muir’s responsibilities cross all three of the company’s service offerings in API manufacture, formulation development and formulated products and he will lead the expansion of the business into new growth markets such as China and Japan.

Reporting directly to the CEO, Dr Robert Hardy, Ian will be joining the Aesica Board. Under the new structure, Business Development, Sales and Marketing, Key Account and Product Management across Aesica will report directly to Ian who will be based at the company’s headquarters, in Newcastle, UK.

Ian holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science and with more than 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, his most recent role was at Catalent where he was responsible for the global provision of contract development and manufacturing services for oral dose forms. He has significant commercial experience in contract manufacturing roles for large pharmaceutical companies located in Europe, the US and Australia and has been responsible for leading both R&D activities and commercial manufacturing operations. Furthermore, in previous roles, he grew a drug delivery business including in licensing key technologies from third parties in Japan and the rest of the world in controlled release tablet technology.  

Dr Robert Hardy, CEO said: “Ian brings strong commercial business knowledge and has proven experience of delivering growth and will play a pivotal role in driving further business growth for Aesica across API, formulation development and formulated products.”

Commenting on his new position, Ian said: “Aesica is fast growing, global CDMO with strong prospects for continued expansion supported by a solid client base and a full-service offering. I look forward to working with the company’s skilled personnel across all its sites to aid the company in achieving its vision to become the number 1 supplier of APIs and formulated products to the pharmaceutical industry.”