Amid mounting concern surrounding antibiotic resistance, charity Antibiotic Research UK says new ideas are needed in this particular research space focused on keeping current drugs in use and not just on creating new products.

Thomas Christély, who was made CEO of Silence Therapeutics in September 2011 after rising through the executive ranks following his instrumental role in merging the company with Atugen (scripintelligence.com, 20 September 2011), has resigned for personal reasons and given up his place on the board. He will be succeeded by Dr Tony Sedgwick, who also joined Silence in September 2011 as chief business officer. Dr Sedgwick was previously CEO of Novacta Biosystems and chair of Plastid. Dr Georg Buchner, who was brought on board by Dr Sedgwick in October 2011, also from Novacta Biosystems, will take full responsibility for the business development team.

DSM BioSolutions has entered into an agreement with Novacta Biosystems of the UK, under which it will manufacture Novacta's lantibiotic candidate for pre-clinical and Phase I clinical trials, as a treatment for Clostridium difficile infection. No financial terms have been disclosed.

The number of private companies securing investments took a sizeable leap last month, as a number of small financing rounds added to some heavyweight deal making, a Scrip analysis has found.