Keith Powell

Keith has been in biotechnology since it started and brings many decades of executive experience from various UK and US companies ranging from start-ups to global firms. He worked for GSK and ICI/Zeneca in genetics and molecular biology leading several large groups including Discovery, to finally running Zeneca’s patent group. He then joined the West Coast biotech Maxygen, leading the small molecule group through the IPO and growing a business which was spun out as Codexis. On returning to the UK, Keith worked with a fund called BBSF and acted as CEO for several companies in the portfolio, including Spear, sold to Advent International. He led Domainex through a merger with NCE to form a successful business in protein structure-based chemistry. Polytherics was built through organic growth since 2005 to a company of >30 people and is now part of Abzena. Keith is currently chairman of Domainex, and Canbex and has a portfolio of other interests.