Crystallics, a new contract research organisation specialising in solid-state research and pre-formulation activities for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agrochemical industries, has been established in the Netherlands through a management buyout of the former Avantium Pharma business from its parent company, Avantium Holding.

Phytopharm (UK) has appointed Tim Sharpington chief executive officer and board director. Sandy Morrison, the company's interim CEO, will revert to his position as a non-executive director. Mr Sharpington has nearly 20 years' experience in the life sciences sector with various biotechnology and pharmaceutical service companies. In 2002, he was development director at Arakis, which was sold to Sosei in 2005 for £107 million. After leaving Arakis, he founded and became CEO of Serentis in 2006. Mr Sharpington is also a non-executive director of Clinical Force, a clinical trial software and service company.

Dr Robert Tansley has joined the UK biopharmaceutical company Serentis as chief medical officer. He was previously development and medical director of Sosei R&D. Dr Tansley has also held roles in development and regulatory affairs at Sanofi, Roche, Arakis and as a medical assessor in the licensing division of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).