Precious Cells Group appoints David Huse in expansion push
pharmafile | December 15, 2015 | Appointment | Medical Communications, Research and Development | Stem cells, precious cells group
Precious Cells Group, a UK-based international provider of stem cell storage and related technologies, has announced the appointment of commercial healthcare specialist David Huse OBE as managing director of the Group’s fast-growing private stem cell banking division, BioBank.
Huse has extensive experience of fast-moving consumer goods markets, with particular expertise in the UK and a specialism in consumer healthcare and pharma brands. He spent nearly two decades at Procter & Gamble, where he served as UK Sales and Marketing director for Healthcare, with responsibility for the Boots account and brands including Vicks, Pepto-Bismol, Crest and Fixodent. Subsequently, he moved to Heinz as Sales director of the company’s UK business.
His appointment is intended to help accelerate the growth of BioBank and significantly expand the scale of its services in the UK- including private cord banking and dental services, as well as an adult blood collection service. In 2014, Precious Cells Group acquired Pharmacells Ltd, strengthening its IP portfolio, and in 2015, entered into a strategic alliance with Bioeden, a US global dental pulp derived mesenchymal stem cell specialist.
Stem cells are the building blocks of the human body and are increasingly used in a growing variety of medical treatments, including transplants to treat blood cancers, blood disorders such as sickle cell anaemia and some inherited immune system disorders. Research shows that public awareness of stem cell technologies has increased significantly in recent years, with over two thirds of respondents in a recent survey to mark National Stem Cell Awareness Day saying that they were aware and valued stem cell research.
Huse will oversee the launch of BioBank’s adult blood stem cell collection service, Accellerate, which will widen access for any adult individual to have their stem cells collected and stored in a process which is as quick and painless as giving a small blood sample.
As well as commercial acumen, Huse also brings strong public body and charitable experience. Alongside his commercial activities, Huse was head of the London Ambassador Volunteer Programme for the 2012 Olympics and CEO of Waterloo200, the charity set up to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. In 2014, he was appointed OBE for services to the voluntary and community sector in the UK.
This background is a key factor in his appointment as a trustee for Precious Cells Group’s charitable division, Precious Cells Miracle, which works with its NHS partners, including leading NHS Trusts, to collect and store donated stem cells from umbilical cord blood for public and research use, helping to meet the current unmet need.
Dr Husein K Salem, chief executive of Precious Cells Group, comments: “We are delighted to welcome David Huse as Managing Director of Precious Cells BioBank and see his arrival as a catalyst to accelerate its growth. His combined experience of working with the private sector and public sector together with his excellent brand positioning and commercial marketing expertise are exactly the right combination of skills BioBank needs to drive forward and make stem cell collection and storage services readily available to all consumers.”
David Huse, managing director, Precious Cells BioBank, adds: “I am joining Precious Cells BioBank at an exciting and pivotal moment. Awareness and value of stem cell storage is increasingly significantly among UK consumers, which gives BioBank, with its excellent suite of services, a great opportunity to help consumers capitalise on these new technologies, seize market leadership and help make the UK a global player in stem cell storage and related technologies.”
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