Announcement on the Death of our CEO Hugh Ilyine

Edinburgh 23rd September 2020

It is with great sadness that DESTINA Genomics and DESTINA Genomica announce the death of our friend, colleague and CEO Hugh Ilyine. Hugh was found at his desk having only recently been on a call where he had been his usual ebullient and energetic self.

Hugh was a founding director and key driving force behind the company, but much more than that, he was a great friend and a fine man. He was appointed CEO Designate in 2010 during the pre-company formation period at the School of Chemistry of the University of Edinburgh and then he became the co-founder, first investor and first CEO of DESTINA when the company secured a worldwide exclusive license from the University of Edinburgh of the SMART Chemistry patent. Since then, he led the creation of our Spanish subsidiary in 2012 and he was instrumental in the recent creation of Vetsina Animal Diagnostics in Edinburgh.

Recently, he led the company to commercialize our first products and services for the direct detection of miRNAs and DESTINA Spin-tubes for the colorimetric detection of DNA such as tuberculosis and cancer-related mutations.

He had time for everyone and was always engaged and interested in the people he met. In addition, he had a great intellect and was forever learning new things and developing new ideas.  He brought those personal qualities (not to mention his vast experience in business) to the company and we owe him a great debt.

He leaves behind Margaret, 3 grown up children, 2 grandchildren and another on the way, and our thoughts and condolences go out to them. They too, have been part of the DESTINA family and we will continue to support them through this difficult time.

In the immediate term, urgent communications should be directed to Juan Jose Diaz or David Whitcombe (see details below)