Sapphiros, a Next-Generation Diagnostics Platform, Announces Executive Appointments
July 28 2021 - 4:15PM
Business Wire
Sapphiros, a KKR-backed platform building the next generation of
diagnostic technologies, today announced the appointment of Mark
Gladwell as Chief Operating Officer and Dr. Niall Armes as Chief
Technology Officer. Mr. Gladwell and Dr. Armes will work alongside
Sapphiros Executive Chairman Namal Nawana to provide strategic and
operational support to the platform’s growing portfolio of
innovative, high-growth diagnostics capabilities. The appointment
of Dr. Armes is effective immediately, and Mr. Gladwell will join
the company on August 23rd.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark and Niall to Sapphiros as we
advance our mission to support the next generation of diagnostics
by focusing on innovative, patient-centric technologies,” said Mr.
Nawana. “Mark brings over two decades of experience managing global
operations and delivering transformative value at various leading
health care organizations, and Niall’s achievements as a scientist
and entrepreneur have revolutionized the diagnostics industry.
Their unique experiences and perspectives will further enable
Sapphiros to identify and add value to the world’s most innovative
diagnostic technologies.”
Mr. Gladwell most recently served as President of Global
Operations and Global Business Services at global medical
technology business Smith+Nephew, where he was responsible for
overseeing global manufacturing, supply chain, procurement,
engineering, new product transfers, operational excellence,
business services, facilities, sustainability and all operational
strategy programs. Prior to Smith+Nephew, he was Senior Vice
President of Global Operations at QIAGEN N.V., a provider of sample
and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing,
academic and pharmaceutical research. Earlier in his career, Mr.
Gladwell held progressively senior operations roles at global
organizations, including Alere Inc., Johnson & Johnson, AGFA
Medical Imaging and DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
Mr. Gladwell said, “Sapphiros is addressing a critical patient
need by supporting the development of innovative solutions that
expand and democratize access to diagnostics. I am delighted to
work alongside Namal, Niall and the talented Sapphiros team more
broadly to build our portfolio and help to accelerate the growth of
some of the world’s most promising diagnostics businesses.”
Dr. Armes is a renowned molecular biologist and protein
biochemist and the inventor of the Recombinase Polymerase
Amplification (RPA) isothermal DNA amplification technology. He is
the author on over 33 issued U.S. patents and foreign equivalents
and is the founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Biocrucible, a
British molecular diagnostics company pioneering a new
amplification chemistry for faster, cheaper and more accurate
point-of care diagnostics. Dr. Armes previously founded TwistDx
Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in RPA-based molecular
testing and technology, where he served as CEO for over 15 years.
Before founding TwistDx, Dr. Armes was a scientist with the
National Institute for Medical Research (now part of The Francis
Crick Institute).
“I am eager to join the Sapphiros team to support the vision and
passion of world-leading entrepreneurs working to develop and
deliver the next generation of diagnostic technologies,” said Dr.
Armes. “I plan to bring a rigorous and analytical perspective to
identify and support high-potential companies that can expand
access to diagnostics and improve patient health.”
Sapphiros was recently launched by Mr. Nawana and KKR, a leading
global investment firm, to invest in and provide operational
support to innovative diagnostics companies. In connection with its
launch, Sapphiros acquired Biocrucible, a British molecular
diagnostics company applying novel isothermal amplification methods
to disposable and point-of-care diagnostic technologies, and also
acquired a substantial equity stake in GrapheneDx, a consumer
diagnostics company that has developed a revolutionary graphene
sensor-based technology for at-home and near-patient testing of a
broad range of analytes.
About Sapphiros
Sapphiros is a platform to support the next generation of
diagnostics, aiming to bridge the gap between present and future by
focusing on innovative, patient-centric technologies. Sapphiros
invests in growth-stage diagnostic companies, led by exceptional
entrepreneurs, and empowers them with the full strength of the
platform’s resources, capital, and expertise to accelerate and
enhance growth and impact. To learn more about the company, please
visit www.sapphiros.com
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative
asset management and capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR
aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a
patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class
people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and
communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private
equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that
manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement,
life and reinsurance products under the management of The Global
Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may
include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance
subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc.
(NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on
Twitter @KKR_Co.
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Cara Major or Miles Radcliffe-Trenner 212-750-8300
media@kkr.com
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