Our business
Our Mission
Our mission, as a transformational supramolecular chemistry company, is to ‘advance the world’ of our partners.
Our Mission
Aqdot (pronounced as “ay-queue-dot”) is a Cambridge (UK)-based supramolecular chemistry company with a focus and expertise in developing, licensing and selling novel proprietary products.
The Aqdot Solutions part of the business works in partnership with customers to understand their challenges and develop solutions utilising the unique AqBit technology in areas from air filtering in transportation to delivery of therapeutics for cancer.
In parallel the Aqdot Products part of the company has recently launched its own brands, which include AqFresh™ and Oderase. We work with partners on a distribution basis, or offer the opportunity to “white label” or develop a market specific formulation.
Our people
Tim Wright
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Wright
Chief Executive OfficerTim joined Aqdot as CEO in November 2014. Prior to joining he co-founded Solent Pharma Ltd, a privately held speciality pharmaceutical company and has undertaken consulting projects supporting a variety of businesses as they develop growth and funding strategies. Previously Tim was CEO of IS Pharma plc, which he led through turnaround to become a substantial, profitable speciality business before its successful merger with Sinclair Pharma in 2011. He served as a non-executive director of the enlarged group, Sinclair IS Pharma, until 2012. Tim has previously held senior domestic and international commercial roles with Élan, SmithKline Beecham and Pfizer. Tim has successfully developed, licensed and grown brands and businesses at all stages of their lifecycle. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Chartered Director.
Dr Roger Coulston
Chief Scientific OfficerDr Roger Coulston
Chief Scientific OfficerRoger is the Chief Scientific Officer, and co-founder, of Aqdot. Prior to founding Aqdot, Dr Coulston was a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Scherman Research Group in the Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge. His research interests include dynamic supramolecular assemblies through molecular recognition processes. He also co-invented the Aqdot core technology and was awarded the European Research Council Proof-of-Concept Grant in 2012 to fund the technology and market validation of the supramolecular capsules. Roger has a Bachelor of Medical Science and a PhD in physical organic chemistry from the Australian National University. Roger is also a trained food technologist (dairy) with experience in large scale food processing.
Hugh Rathbone
Chief Commercial OfficerHugh Rathbone
Chief Commercial OfficerHugh Joined Aqdot in June 2019. After a commission in the Royal Navy, he spent 19 years in a variety of commercial roles at Procter & Gamble. He has extensive international experience in Beauty care ranging from global purchasing to being the Commercial Director for P&G Haircare Europe. Hugh is a brand builder who has successfully led many multi-functional teams for new brand and product launches. In P&G Fabric Care, he led a major category European turnaround involving significant product innovation on Ariel and 2in1s and a transformation of the brand commercial strategies. Highly experienced in business transformation, Hugh was on the leadership team for a M&A deal involving the carve out of 4 business units from P&G, prior to merging them with Coty. He has also spent 2 years consulting with a focus on start-ups in the Healthcare and Beauty sectors. Hugh has an MBA from Cranfield University.
Dr Jing Zhang
Strategy & Innovation DirectorDr Jing Zhang
Strategy & Innovation DirectorJing is the Strategy & Innovation Director and cofounder of Aqdot. While working to complete her PhD on microfluidic droplets in the Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, she co-invented the core technology in collaboration with Dr Roger Coulston and prepared the manuscript for publication of the research findings in Science. During her time in Cambridge, she was also actively involved in the entrepreneurial community, leading the Cambridge University Entrepreneurs, a 2000-member not-for-profit organisation aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among students. Prior to moving to Cambridge, Jing was awarded a Bachelor of Philosophy with first class honours and a University Medal from the Australian National University.
Kelsey Lynn Skinner
Non-Executive DirectorKelsey Lynn Skinner
Non-Executive DirectorKelsey is the Tech Ventures Director of Touchstone Innovations. Prior to joining Touchstone, she was a Partner at Firelake Capital, a Palo Alto VC firm specialising in energy and materials science investments. Kelsey focused on commercialization of new materials technologies and business models; she held board director or observer seats with Zeachem, EnerG2, EOS Climate and Simbol Materials. An engineer by training, Kelsey has worked in energy technology since 2003, including roles with Google’s green energy strategy group and Stanford’s Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP). Kelsey has a BSc and MSc from Stanford University, and later studied for an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.
Russ Cummings
ChairmanRuss Cummings
ChairmanRuss Cummings is an experienced Chairman, Non-Executive Director and Investor with successful 30-year track record with high growth businesses. He is an accomplished board member of both public and private companies with extensive experience as public company Chief Executive including raising capital and mergers and acquisitions. He is particularly focused on successfully commercialising ground breaking and sustainable innovation, with deep understanding of the practical challenges that come with bringing new technologies to market and the importance of people in this mix.
Ian McKernan
Non-Executive DirectorIan McKernan
Non-Executive DirectorIan McKernan is an experienced CEO, Chairman and Industrial Chemist. Following an early career with multinational chemicals group DSM Ian joined the family business, Molecular Products Ltd and pursued a strategy of international growth. As Group CEO, Ian orchestrated a number of acquisitions and drove a successful organic growth programme, setting up subsidiaries in the USA, China, India and Australia. Having established the Group as a world leader in critical air purification, it was successfully sold in 2016. Ian’s most recent venture has been the establishment of OP6 Innovation ltd, a business focused on supporting growth in ambitious SME’s.
Cassie Doherty
Non-Executive DirectorCassie Doherty
Non-Executive DirectorCassie is Investment Director with Parkwalk Advisors and holds a number of Board Director seats. Parkwalk is the largest EIS growth fund. Prior to this Cassie worked in the life sciences partnership at IP Group Plc investing in technology companies that had arisen out of UK University research. Cassie holds a PhD and BSC in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Following her PhD Cassie led development of drugs she developed during her PhD into Phase II clinical studies.
Scientific Advisory Board
Professor Oren Scherman
Cofounder and Scientific AdvisorProfessor Oren Scherman
Cofounder and Scientific AdvisorOren is the Director of the Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis at the Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge. His research group are interested in studying supramolecular polymers, hydrogels and composite materials and their dynamics of assembly in an aqueous environment. Prior to moving to Cambridge, Oren worked on supramolecular polymers, at the Eindhoven University of Technology with Professors E. W. (Bert) Meijer and Rint P. Sijbesma after he finished his PhD under the supervision of Professor Robert H. Grubbs at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California in 2004.
Our Values
Like all people and businesses, we are defined by what we do and how we act. Everyone in our business has contributed and been living with the 5 values below. They ensure every person in Aqdot understands what is important and help guide our culture, our growth and our relationships with our investors and partners.
Safety and responsibility
Safety conscious
Diverse
Ethical
Stakeholder focused
Team work
Aligned
Committed
Supportive
Challenging
Fearless
leadership
Actively vulnerable
Promoters of people
Champions of our values
Open
Integrity
Trustworthy
Honest
Respectful
Transparent
Performance
focused
Ambitious
Results focused
Proactive
Accountable
Continually learning
Our investors
IP Group is a leading intellectual property commercialisation company which focuses on evolving great ideas, mainly from its partner universities, into world-changing businesses. The Group has pioneered a unique approach to developing these ideas and the resulting businesses by providing access to business building expertise, capital (through its 100%-owned FCA-authorised subsidiaries IP Capital and Parkwalk Advisors), networks, recruitment and business support. IP Group has a strong track record of success and its portfolio comprises holdings in early-stage to mature businesses across life sciences and technology. IP Group is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the code IPO.
For more information visit ipgroupplc.com
Parkwalk is the UK’s leading growth EIS fund manager backing world-changing technologies emerging out of UK universities and research institutions. Parkwalk has invested in over 100 companies since it was founded in 2009, with the Global University Venturing organisation recently announcing Parkwalk as the world’s second most active investor in this sector 2013-17. In 2019 Parkwalk won ‘Best EIS Fund Manager’ at the EIS Association awards for the third year running.
For more information visit parkwalkadvisors.com
Cambridge Enterprise Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Cambridge, responsible for the commercialisation of University intellectual property. Activities include management and licensing of intellectual property and patents, proof of concept funding and support for University staff and research groups wishing to provide expert advice or facilities to public and private sector organisations. Cambridge Enterprise provides access to angel and early stage capital through Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds, University of Cambridge Enterprise Funds, Cambridge Innovation Capital and Cambridge Enterprise Venture Partners, and offers business planning, mentoring, and other related programmes.
For more information visit enterprise.cam.ac.uk
Providence Investment Company is the family office of Hermann Hauser. Distinguished as a science-based innovator and serial-entrepreneur Hermann’s ventures have been at the forefront of UK innovation. Hermann is a major contributor to the global technology and growth agendas and an influential member of senior policy making bodies. He is an inspiration and role-model for generations of entrepreneurs who has been directly involved in many companies, providing enthusiasm, mentoring, and financing leading to technology based wealth creation at scale.
WORKING FOR AQDOT
Aqdot is a Cambridge (UK)-based supramolecular chemistry company with a focus and expertise in developing, licensing and selling novel proprietary products. Aqdot’s technology is game-changing in a wide range of industries, including household and personal care, fragrances, industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
WORK FOR A COMPANY YOU ARE PROUD OF
Our purpose: Making lives better through chemistry & innovation.
Our vision: The world-leading supramolecular chemistry company. Agile, exemplary in teamwork, and fearless leadership throughout.
We develop products that enable our customers to introduce novel and differentiated brands and make a truly positive impact on the environment.
Our growth is supported and financed by industry-recognised long-term investment specialists who support scientists and entrepreneurs in the commercialisation of their ideas.
Our company is a multiple industry award winner.
ADVANCE LEADING TECHNOLOGY THROUGH COLLABORATIVE WORK
We are a fast moving, dynamic team with exemplary teamwork and fearless leadership throughout.
We utilise and build strong brands, networks and resources. Our senior management expertise and commercial partners provide you with a second-to-none support network.
Gain exposure to the development production and delivery of a world class innovation.
DEVELOP YOUR CAREER AND GROW PROFESSIONALLY
Benefit from training and development by commercial and technical experts and industry veterans.
Utilise your problem solving and solution focused skills in a fluid and agile working environment.
Gain significant exposure and be part of a groundbreaking company where you can make a real impact.
Share option scheme available for you to genuinely participate in and benefit from our success.