Kind Consumer

British entrepreneur, backed by big name British investors, takes on public health dilemma

jappleton — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 05:55:10 +0000

For the full press release please follow this link

British entrepreneur, backed by big name British investors, takes on public health dilemma

jappleton — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 05:55:01 +0000

A British inventor, backed by Sir Terry Leahy, Sir Peter Davis and Jon Moulton amongst other eminent British businessmen, has created a unique device that has the potential to help tackle one of the country’s most persistent public health challenges by providing a real alternative to smoking.

Alex Hearn, a 28 year old Oxford University graduate, is the mastermind of the product – a clean medicinal nicotine inhalation device, unlike anything available in the market place today, which aims to provide a new choice to those smokers who are unwilling or unable to give up smoking.

The product – which is still under development, and will be subject to regulatory approval as a medicinal product, contains no tobacco, does not involve combustion or heat of any nature in its operation, is non-electronic and aims to mimic the intake of nicotine that is delivered when smoking a cigarette.

Alex Hearn, now Chief Product Officer at Kind Consumer Limited – an innovative consumer healthcare company behind this new product, said:

“There’s a common misconception that nicotine causes harm, but this isn’t the case. It’s the burning of the tobacco and the toxins in the smoke that cause the harm and our product contains neither tobacco, heat nor smoke – just clean medicinal nicotine.

“The thing that sets our invention apart from other nicotine products available today is not just the fact it mimics the psychological rituals and routines of smoking cigarettes but that it is designed to also match the physiological effects of nicotine in-take by smokers.

“If someone wants to give up smoking but finds it too difficult to quit because they still crave nicotine then using a product like this could be the break-through they need.”

Paul Triniman, CEO of Kind Consumer, stated “Alex’s product is not only one of huge ingenuity, but a breakthrough for the industry. We will be able to offer smokers a safer alternative to cigarettes, and help the thousands of people who want to give up smoking achieve their goal.”

And it’s not just Alex, and the highly experienced Kind Consumer healthcare team, that believes this product can really have a significant impact on public health.

Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco and a private investor in Kind Consumer, said:

“I have personally invested in this company because I believe it will make a difference, not only to the lives of smokers who have repeatedly tried to quit smoking without success, but to the public health of our nation.

“And it makes perfect business sense too. There’s currently a huge gap in the market crying out for a product like this that sits between cigarettes and the very medicalised nicotine replacement therapies.

“I was also impressed by the work and thought that has gone into developing this initial product and am really excited about the future prospects of Kind Consumer.”

Sir Peter Davis, ex Chief Executive of both the Prudential and Sainsburys and also a Kind Consumer investor, said:

“When I first heard about Kind Consumer and their plans for the technology, my gut feeling was this was something interesting that has the potential to make a real social impact. There are lots of smokers out there, I know because I used to be one of them, that either want to quit or cut down on the amount they smoke – but that’s more easily said than done. My hope, and the reason why I have personally got involved with Kind Consumer, is that this product will offer those smokers a real alternative.”

In addition to attracting a number of high profile personal investors from the business and scientific worlds, Kind Consumer have recently signed a global licensing agreement for their nicotine product with Nicoventures Limited, the new subsidiary of British American Tobacco, set up specifically to commercialise innovative nicotine products.

Commenting on the agreement Paul Triniman, CEO,said: “we had been searching for some time for a commercial partner that really appreciated the unique potential of what we have developed and who has the necessary capabilities, resources and commitment to get it in front of as many smokers as possible. We believe our agreement with Nicoventures gives us the best possible chance of succeeding in offering smokers a real alternative to cigarettes.”

Media Enquiries

Tulchan Communications (+44) (0) 20 7353 4200
Lucy Legh
Susanna Voyle
www.kindconsumer.com

Notes to Editors

Kind Consumer Limited: founded in 2006 by Alex Hearn, is based in London, UK and is a research and development company aimed at reducing significant global health problems that are prevalent across the world. The Company has developed a technology platform for optimal inhalation delivery.
Harm Reduction: several governments, organisations and regulatory bodies around the world are starting to encourage the widespread availability of safer nicotine products and harm reduction policies. The UK has shown itself to be a global leader in pioneering tobacco harm reduction.

Sir Terry Leahy

jappleton — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:47:09 +0000

Sir Terry Leahy was the Chief Executive of Tesco PLC until his retirement in March 2011, a position he held since 1997. Terry joined Tesco in 1979 as a Marketing Executive and was promoted up through the marketing function until becoming a Commercial Director in 1986. He was appointed to the Board of Tesco PLC as Marketing Director in 1992 and was appointed Deputy Managing Director in February 1995.

In 2008 he was nominated by Retail Week as Retail Leader of the Year. From 2005 to 2010 he was voted as Britain’s Most Admired Leader by Management Today and in 2004 was named European Businessman of the year by Fortune Magazine. In 2010 he received the Daily Telegraph’s Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business, a Lifetime Achievement award from Director Magazine and was voted Business Person of the Year by the Sunday Times.

Terry now works in Private Equity and invests in entrepreneurial businesses and is actively involved with a number of charities. He was knighted in 2002 for services to food retailing.

Mr. Rene Gonzalez – Project Management Executive

jappleton — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:46:47 +0000

Rene holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey (Mexico), where he graduated with honours. He also received a Shell Centenary Chevening scholarship to pursue an MPhil in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge. He has worked in engineering design and project management with Procter & Gamble in Latin America and in business development for a community-based organization in Kenya.

Dr. Moira Bowdrey – Engineering Manager

jappleton — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:37:47 +0000

Moira’s undergraduate degree was in Engineering from Oxford where she received a 1st Class Degree and won the final year project prize. She was later awarded a Kennedy Scholarship to pursue a one year course of study at Harvard University where she developed her understanding of ultrasound therapies, particle technology and cancer research. She subsequently gained a Ph.D. from Cambridge from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Moira has been an engineering consultant to several companies, most notably the World Bank, where she worked in Shanghai advising the Chinese government, and more recently as a technology designer and advisor.

Rene Gonzalez Joins the Team

jappleton — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:00:54 +0000

The Kind family grows with the addition of Rene Gonzalez to the executive team. He brings deep, functional experience in supply chain development and project management and is a University of Cambridge MPhil Graduate.

Dr. Sam Bakri – Co-founder

jappleton — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:14:58 +0000

Sam joined Kind Consumer in Dec 2007 as the CEO stepping down in Jan 2010 in order to complete his MBA qualification. He is a qualified medical doctor and has extensive experience in the life sciences sector in start-ups and large corporate pharmaceuticals, both as a medical advisor and through management roles within business development. Sam now provides ad hoc consultancy input to the Company focused around business development and the engagement of advisors and opinion leaders overseas. He completed his MBA from Harvard Business School where he was a Fulbright Scholar in 2011.

Mr. Frederick Nyein – Head of Supply Chain

jappleton — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:25:43 +0000

Frederick joined Kind Consumer in late 2009 to oversee the manufacturing and supply-chain management. He holds an MPhil Degree in Industrial Systems Manufacturing Management from Cambridge and is also a Computer Science graduate. Between 2007 and 2008, he did several industrial projects across UK SME companies, and also had working experience within the fields of IT, PR and medical tourism for two years in Thailand.

Mr. Zeid Bsaibes – Strategy and Operations

jappleton — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:24:11 +0000

Zeid joined Kind Consumer in 2009 and focuses on the commercialisation strategy of the technology as well as operations management activities and duties as Company Secretary. He is an Oxford University graduate and holds a degree in Economics & Management. He has worked within general strategy management consultancy for Booz & Co. in their London office.

Mr. Moritz Bolle – Founding Team Member

jappleton — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:22:51 +0000

Moritz joined the initial team at Kind Consumer in early 2008 to oversee project management of the commercialisation of the technology. He is a trained biochemist and gleaned experience in management consultancy with the Boston Consulting Group in the health care sector. Previously, he worked with a German Member of Parliament in public policy. A former Fulbright scholar, Moritz holds an MPhil from Cambridge University in Bioscience Enterprise with a focus on commercializing science, an MSc in Biochemistry, and a certificate in business. Moritz stepped down from his position with Kind in November 2010 and continued as a consultant with the Company until May 2011.