Sygnature Discovery, the world’s leading integrated drug discovery solutions provider, has appointed the Dr Charles Woler as Chairman.

In a broad career, Dr Woler has held multiple key roles in the sector, including CEO at Roche France, Executive Chairman for Europe at SmithKline Beecham PLC, and CEO at Cadus Pharmaceutical in the US.

He has also worked in numerous biotech-focused venture capital firms, chairing the advisory committee of the public-private Inserm-Transfert Initiative Investment Committee fund and serving as Vice Chairman of the France Biotech trade association for three years.

In addition, Dr Woler set up French biotech company Neuro3d before selling the business, co-founded Swiss biopharmaceutical firm Inflamalps, and was CEO at Biomnis, one of the largest independent laboratories in Europe.

He gained a PhD in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Lyon and an MD from Université Paris Diderot (Paris VII), and has since spent more than 35 years in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical sectors in Europe and North America.

Dr Charles Woler, Chairman at Sygnature Discovery, said: "I am a long-time admirer of Sygnature Discovery, having previously done due diligence on the company while considering investment possibilities when working in private equity, so I am thrilled to join such a successful, ambitious organisation.

Dr Simon Hirst, CEO and founder of Sygnature Discovery, said: "We are very excited to be working with Charles in this new phase of investment. Charles has a wealth of pharmaceutical knowledge and experience in various leadership, R&D, sales and management positions across our industry.