Cobra Biologics Appoints CSO

Cobra Biologics has announced the appointment of Dr Daniel C. Smith as its Chief Scientific Officer with the responsibility for developing the highest level of scientific excellence across the Group and enhancing Cobra’s DNA, virus, microbial and mammalian proteins research and development platforms.

Daniel has spent the last 4 years with the bioProcessUK team at the HealthTech & Medicines Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), driving the innovation agenda for biologics bioprocessing in the UK as a Knowledge Transfer Manager.

He also successfully delivered a number of projects enhancing industrial and academic collaboration as well as innovation in bioprocessing as a Senior Technologist. The experience he has gained at the KTN has enabled him to build an extensive academic and industrial network, including key R&D innovators and opinion leaders.

Prior to work at the KTN, Daniel gained his industrial experience at Cobra in a variety of roles progressing from Senior Scientist to Commercial Scientific Development Manager, responsible for developing the strategy for customer’s projects, alongside maintaining scientific oversight of Cobra’s R&D projects.

He brings a wealth of academic experience to the role, with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry, a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology and over 20 research publications to his name. He has worked with a number of academic groups across the UK, Europe and the USA and has extensive academic research experience in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology and protein biochemistry, with a particular expertise in protein-based toxins and cellular delivery vectors.

Peter Coleman, CEO at Cobra Biologics, commented: “This is a significant appointment for Cobra and I am personally very pleased that Dan has decided to return to Cobra as our new CSO. He has a tremendous enthusiasm for science and its application in our industry and from working with him previously, I firmly believe he has experience and ability to further establish Cobra as a leading scientific organization.”