Each senior member has over 30 years experience in their field of medicine, chemistry or period products.
The Team
Founder
Background
Dr Tony Bairstow has over 30 years clinical experience as a senior partner in medical practice. As founder and director of Aritex Biotech, work was started into developing improved designs in period products. Advances in biocompatibility of materials, combined with improved understanding of the physiological host responses, opened up new design possibilities for tampons, and a new design was launched
A UK patent was granted in 2022, followed by Europe and the US in 2024.
Team Members
Background
Kyra Sharma at the University of Leeds is working with Aritex to understand the implications of biomaterials on human health and improve our understanding of our initial target market.
Background
Shane Dhiman is an MSc Bioscience graduate from the University of Leeds, with a BSc in Biotechnology. He has expertise in biomaterial science and immunology research, combining academic rigour with a commitment to making a meaningful difference. Shane's multifaceted approach to academic excellence and community engagement makes him an invaluable asset to the Toruso project.
Background
Lesley Sutherland is Aritex Biotech's commercial strategist, advising on growth, investment and scale-up strategy. A senior executive with experience across the UK, USA, Europe and Asia Pacific, Lesley has guided life sciences and biotechnology teams from 5 to over 180 staff, and prepared due diligence packages behind successful acquisitions and $50M+ funding rounds. Lesley also mentors founders and invests as an angel in Scotland's start-up ecosystem.
Background
Ben Westerby is Aritex Biotech's fractional Finance Director, providing financial advice and strategic oversight. A CIMA-qualified accountant and ILM Level 7 coach, Ben has more than twenty years' experience in finance, including Finance Director roles before founding Westerby Consultancy, which supports growing businesses across a wide range of sectors. At Aritex Biotech, he advises on forecasting, financial planning and reporting, helping the leadership team make confident, well-informed decisions as the company grows.
Background
Pamela Windle is a certified menstruation and menopause consultant for the workplace, with over 20 years of experience. She holds membership with the International Menopause Society and with the British Standards Institute as an advisor. Pamela also holds a BSc in Psychology and Sports Science and is advising Aritex Biotech on menstruators' experience and needs.
Advisory Board
Background
Professor Steven Abbott received his Ph.D. in chemistry from work at Oxford and Harvard before a post-doc with Nobel Prize winner Jean-Marie Lehn. He spent 30 years in the industry, first with the large UK chemical company ICI then as Research Director of a high-tech coatings company near Oxford. Prof. Abbott is a visiting professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds and director of Steven Abbott TCNF Ltd.
He is advising Aritex Biotech on elastomeric polymers and adhesion principles.
Background
John Poccia III has over 30 patents in fields ranging from hygiene, medical devices, skincare, wound management, and baby/adult wipes. At Johnson & Johnson he worked with nonwovens to integrate superabsorbent monomers/polymers into a through air-bonded nonwoven with pulp fibers for use in a novel super thin diaper absorbent core. After working on baby diapers, he moved on to Personal Products Company in 1986, the feminine hygiene division of Johnson & Johnson. In 2000, he moved on to a newly created role Associate Director of External Alliances and Innovation and led a global team charged with developing a new way of bringing in innovation from outside of Johnson & Johnson.
He is advising Aritex Biotech on superabsorbent biomaterials, tampon prototype iteration and product development.
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