HoneyLab appoints two new independent directors

HoneyLab, the New Zealand company running the world’s largest research programme into the medicinal uses of honey and other bee products, has appointed two independent directors to its board.

Co-founder and managing director Laurence Greig says that at this stage of the company’s growth the appointment of Dr Ian Boddy and Dr Robert Feldman from 1 August will strengthen the company’s focus on commercialisation through licensing.

Dr Ian Boddy, who has a PhD in organic chemistry, was a Research Fellow at Cambridge University and a Senior Research Leader with the large German agrochemicals company, Schering AG. He is also well-known for his time with the New Zealand Crown Research Institute AgResearch as GM Commercial.

Dr Boddy says, “I’m excited about the opportunity in being involved with HoneyLab. HoneyLab is developing New Zealand honey into global business opportunities and I look forward to working with the board to help achieve that.”

Dr Rob Feldman has a combination of business, medical and research experience spanning two decades. A qualified medical practitioner, he obtained his medical degree in London and his PhD in The Netherlands. He has worked at Harvard Medical School, and has held clinical and academic positions at Imperial College, London.

Dr Feldman comments, “With the company’s clearly differentiated, clinically tested products and a skilled and knowledgeable management team, I believe there is huge potential for HoneyLab. I look forward to being a member of HoneyLab’s team.”

Dr Boddy replaces former chair Paul Morgan who steps down after three years. Mr Greig acknowledges the invaluable contribution made by Mr Morgan saying, “Paul brought a level of robustness and structure to our governance that we might not have considered important as a small company. This gave HoneyLab significant credibility that allowed the company to be taken seriously by overseas pharmaceutical companies as we looked to develop HoneyLab’s licensing opportunities.”

Alan Barrett steps down                                                                                                                                             
Alan Barrett is also stepping down as an executive director but remains on the executive as HoneyLab’s manager of operations.

HoneyLab co-founder and director of science Dr Shaun Holt notes, “Having more scientists on the board is an excellent strategic move for HoneyLab. At this stage in the company’s development we need expertise that can guide the tricky process of licensing and add value in the overall direction of our scientific research.”

The fifth board member, Frances Stead, continues as the third independent director.

HoneyLab’s board now comprises Dr Ian Boddy (chair), Frances Stead, Dr Shaun Holt, Dr Rob Feldman and Laurence Greig.

HoneyLab is a New Zealand biotechnology company with several platforms of clinical research, including dermatology, pain, and nutrition. The company plans to licence products to pharmaceutical companies once effectiveness and safety have been proven. HoneyLab is already in discussions with several of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies. HoneyLab’s recently completed large clinical trial that has shown that its kanuka honey formulation gives new hope for rosacea sufferers, was published in the British Medical Journal in June 2015. The current size of the rosacea prescription market is estimated to be US$1.5 billion. As the new kanuka honey treatment is available over the counter and not on prescription, the potential market is effectively twice as large and sits at around US$3 billion.