Melbourne Australia-based international healthcare investment firm BioScience Managers has appointed Dr David Atkins as managing partner, working alongside founder and managing partner Jeremy Curnock Cook.

Atkins has experience in both the investment in, and management of, emerging technologies and operational experience within a broad range of businesses at the most senior level. He has experience in R&D, product development and commercialisation across biotech, medical device, in-vitro development and data-driven solutions in all global markets.

He previously led Congenica, a digital health scale-up in Cambridge, through several major financing rounds. Before that, he held senior leadership roles in Johnson & Johnson, Danaher and Medicover. His 22 years at Johnson & Johnson included global and regional senior leadership positions. Atkins began his career in Australia as a human gene therapy research scientist.

Atkins also sits on the board of the UK BioIndustry Association, is trustee of Gene People and a member of the UK National Genomics Board.

Curnock Cook said: “I am delighted to welcome David to the team at an exciting time in the convergence of bioscience and tech, with innovative companies driving solutions to the cost-effective improvement of healthcare and patient outcomes. David’s skills and vast breadth of expertise align with the needs of BioScience Managers as we invest in the future of our firm and our investee companies. He has experience across a broad range of life science and healthcare, most recently in the application of digital health to genomics. He has worked in and led companies globally from start-up ventures, scale-ups, turnarounds and high-growth enterprises.”

Atkins commented: “I am excited by the opportunity to help steer the growth of a successful investment team and to increase our ability to support the delivery of the promise of digital health for patients across the globe. I also welcome the opportunity to add value by proactively engaging with our current portfolio to deliver commercial success and returns for investors.”

BioScience Managers invests in the biosciences sector, with a focus on the digital health industry. Its strategy is to take a meaningful stake in both private and public healthcare companies with clear technological and market advantages. With close to A$250m funds under management, it has a portfolio of more than 20 investments in life sciences, digital health and techbio companies across Europe, the US and Australia.