David Darling – Chief Executive Officer

David Darling is the Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Edge Biotechnology Ltd a Dunedin based bio-medical company specializing in the development and commercialisation of novel diagnostic and prognostic tools for the early detection and management of cancer. Prior to PEB David was Director of Business Development and Biotechnology, for Rubicon Ltd.

David has had considerable experience developing start-up companies and developing early stage technologies. He has been involved in the entrepreneurial development of nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, biotechnology, forestry and horticulture. His roles have included the development and management of an integrated biotechnology and manufacturing operation that employed up to 100 fulltime and seasonal employees. His role in the building of biotech start-up companies has also involved the management of intellectual property platforms and large patent portfolios. David has degrees from Massey University and Canterbury University and during his career as a scientist and science manager David has led the development and management of the tree breeding and biotechnology program for Fletcher Challenge Ltd. David was actively involved in the development and start-up of ArborGen, a biotechnology joint venture business between Rubicon and two North American forestry giants, International Paper and MeadWestVaco. That venture will see an initial investment of $US60 million into tree biotechnology. One of the key roles for David has been as Science Manager for Rubicon on the ArborGen joint venture.

David has sat on the Board of Directors of a number of companies and enterprises including GEENZ, Tasman Biotechnology, Trees and Technology, CAMCORE (USA), and sits on the Board of Directors of Primepine, Ecotek, Ginzeng, Axel and Prognostic Systems. David is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Foundation for Research Science and Technology, (FRST).

Ass. Prof. Parry Guilford, PhD – Chief Scientific Officer

Parry oversees the scientific staff of Pacific Edge Biotechnology and is a founder and member of the Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr Guilford is a geneticist by training and is a world leader in the genetics of gastric cancer. He led the team which successfully identified the first known gastric cancer predisposition gene. Dr Guilford’s training includes undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Otago. He received his doctorate from the University of Cambridge and did a post-doctoral fellowship in Molecular Genetics at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. He is a current member of the Executive Council of the International Gastric Cancer Congress, a member of the steering committee of the International Gastric Cancer Linkage Consortium and Vice President of the New Zealand Society for Oncology.