Anna Couturier

Genetic Alliance UK

Director of Engagement & Impact

Anna Couturier, Phd. is the Director of Engagement & Impact at Genetic Alliance UK. She leads project implementation including horizon-scanning research, fundraising and strategic development, digital strategy and coordination for the projects in collaboration with their partners and public stakeholders. She also provides in-depth training for gene and cell therapy scientists and science communicators with a special focus on science and technology in digital spaces.

Anna’s academic research in Science and Technology Studies at the University of Edinburgh covers generative AI, algorithmic governance, digital health, and regenerative medicine with a particular interest in developing digitally native methodologies to address health information questions online.

Her previous work covers global educational media development and digital advocacy at institutions including Da Vinci Kids, Columbia University Center for the Core Curriculum, GLAAD, and the Women’s Media Center.

Paula Shutt

Sickle Cell Society

Communications Lead

Paula is a senior communications professional with over 20 years of experience in PR, marketing, and strategic communications; specialising in the healthcare and nonprofit sectors.

She leads communications at the Sickle Cell Society, where she focuses on raising awareness of sickle cell disorder and advocating for improved care, more treatment options and support for those affected by the condition. Her work includes digital communications, stakeholder engagement, and media relations, where she collaborates with streaming platforms and TV productions to enhance awareness and understanding of sickle cell.

Paula’s passion for healthcare advocacy has led to previous roles as Chair of the Board at Art in Healthcare, and working in communications and advocacy for stroke survivors and people diagnosed with chest and heart conditions.

Her experience and insights on the evolving field of gene therapy for sickle cell disorder is rooted in having closely worked with the sickle cell patient community throughout the NICE appraisal for Casgevy.

Paula is committed to supporting the development of new, safe, and effective therapies that have the potential to transform the treatment of chronic conditions like sickle cell disorder – ensuring patients receive the care they deserve and the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest potential.

Tracy Jackson

The University of Edinburgh

Associate Dean for Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement

Tracy Jackson PhD is Associate Dean for Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh. She leads the development and implementation of strategies to embed meaningful PPIE across research and teaching in human health, while recognising opportunities within a broader One Health context. Her role supports the University’s ambition to make PPIE a core element of academic practice, strengthening research relevance and impact, building community partnerships, and supporting funding opportunities.

She is also a Senior Research Fellow based at the Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh. She leads on PPIE for a portfolio of research including: the Centre for Applied Respiratory Research Innovation and Impact (CARRii), IMPlementing IMProved Asthma self-management as RouTine (IMP2ART) and the Inflammation and Immunity Driver Programme. She also leads on Community Engagement and Involvement for the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE).

With a background in health psychology, Tracy believes that PPIE is essential to producing high quality health research that is relevant to the people it impacts.

Adam Inche

Lentitek

Founder

From the start of my career I have always focused on proteins – their structure, making them for screening assays and how they are altered within the cells. Having used lentivirus in the past, it was this protein perspective that led me to question why lentivirual vectors were produced in the way that they are.

Years later, and having moved into more commercial roles within biomanufacturing, I was having many discussions with developers who were really struggling with viral vector production. It occured to me that I may have a solution to some of these problems – from which Lentitek was born.

Having founded Lentiek with my former colleague Leif Anderson in 2019, we have gone on to raise over a £1 million in equity and grant investment into Lentitek. We have done so much since then and we are looking forward to developing commercial solutions for the issues facing lentivirus manufacturing.

Lara Campana

Resolution Therapeutics

SVP Head of Research and Translational Science

xperienced scientist, specialised in inflammation and tissue repair, with a demonstrated history of delivering ambitious projects in the research industry. Skilled in various lab techniques, including cell culture and flow cytometry. Holder of a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused on Cellular and Molecular Immunology from The Open University and the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University., followed by two post-docs at The University of Edinburgh. Currently highly focused on translating exciting scientific findings on the role of macrophages in tissue repair to the clinic at Resolution Therapeutics.

Alice Barrier

The University of Edinburgh

Head of Operations - Mission Hub for Engineered Genetic Controls for Advanced Therapeutics

Alison Armstrong

Merck

Global Head Technical and Scientific Solutions

Gloria Lam

PA Consulting

Managing Consultant

Gloria is part of PA’s team of Healthcare and Life Sciences Consultants. She has a strong background in bioprocessing and 10 years of international industry experience in developing operational capabilities in cell and gene therapies and commercialising regenerative medicine products.​

Gloria has published 25 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in areas including regenerative medicine, bioprocessing and digital health. Specifically, she has published articles on impact of fast-track designations, decision lifecycle, supply chains and capacity planning decisions on advanced therapies commercialisation.

Gloria holds a DPhil in biomedical engineering from the University of Oxford.

Simon Chandler

Rinri Therapeutics

Chief Executive Officer

Simon has been Rinri’s CEO from its inception, working closely with Rinri’s founder and responsible for the strategic direction and operation of the company.

Having spent most of his career within blue-chip biotechnology and pharmaceutic companies, Simon has developed deep sector knowledge and experience in the biotech sector. He joined Rinri from IP Group, a specialist deep-tech venture capital fund, where he worked in early-stage investment and venture building, creating companies from world-class science. This exposed him to the innovative life science market across medical diagnostics, devices, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, novel antimicrobials, and the advanced therapeutics landscape.

Simon believes that Rinri’s strong preclinical data and clinical development progress puts it at the forefront of hearing loss therapeutic development with enormous potential to make a real-world impact on patients and healthcare systems to realise a world where hearing loss can be restored, reconnecting people with the world around them.

He holds a 1^st class BSc (Hons.) in Biology from the University of Leeds and a PhD. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of York.

Ishani Malhotra

Oncocine

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Ishani is a biotech entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in oncology, stem cell science, and bioengineering. As Founder and CEO of Oncocine, Ishani is applying her extensive experience in cancer therapeutics, business development and strategic leadership to advance innovative solutions in the cancer vaccine space. Ishani led her previous cancer research and drug testing company through equity raises of over $6 million, achieving consistent year-on-year growth, and forging international partnerships across the US, Europe, and UK. Her leadership and innovation have earned her multiple accolades, including: Cancer Research UK Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 and EY Entrepreneur of the Year Scotland 2023.

Antoine Espinet

MFX

Co Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Antoine is the CEO and co-founder at MFX. He has 5 years of experience in cell therapy tools. Prior to MFX, Antoine was a management consultant at McKinsey for 5 years. He holds a PhD in Engineering from Cornell University.

Joe Healey

NanoSyrinx

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

I am Founder and CEO of the University of Warwick biotech spinout NanoSyrinx Ltd. The company was created to commercialise my PhD research. My research was specifically focussed on using synthetic biology approaches to engineer nano-scale bacterial ‘syringes’ for drug delivery and bio-nanotechnological applications. I graduated from my PhD in 2018, and have been running NanoSyrinx basically ever since.

In 2014 I completed my multidisciplinary Master of Science postgraduate degree in Mathematical Biology and Biophysical Chemistry via the Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells Centre for Doctoral Training (MOAC CDT), from where I also obtained my PhD. During my MSc, I conducted 3 projects exploring various aspects of modern science, using experimental and theoretical approaches to study different topics within biological sciences, and additionally completed various modules aimed at creating truly interdisciplinary scientists.

Prior to this I completed my undergraduate with Honours in Biology at Aberystwyth University, finishing top of my class. I was fortunate enough to finish my degree with a couple of awards for best performance in my degree scheme, as well as best dissertation (an investigation in to viral biomarkers for COPD and lung cancer with a placement at PHE Colindale), which earned me a nomination for the international Science, Engineering and Technology student of the year (SET) awards.

Arunesh Sil

Sanofi

UK & IE Franchise Medical Head for Transplant

Specialist Pharmaceutical Physician – CCT holder in Pharmaceutical Medicine and on the GMC
Specialist Register for Pharmaceutical Medicine
Surgeon with 16 years of extensive clinical and surgical experience in ENT and Head and Neck
Surgery, credited with book chapters, with publications and prizes at international levels
including the Foundation Award from American Academy of Otolaryngologists and Head and
Neck Surgeons for Rhinology.
13 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical industry, held medical leadership roles in Baxter,
Shire, UCB, and in Sanofi and currently working in Sanofi for the past 6 years
Extensive experience as a final signatory, code compliance, people management and
development and medical affairs. Active mentoring of people formally and informally within
Sanofi.
Successful delivery of several key projects with successful outcomes.
Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Faculty appointed Educational Supervisor,
sits on the ARCP panel and also an appraiser for the Faculty.
Fellow of Royal Statistical Society
Past MBBS Examiner at Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Currently Franchise Medical Head for Transplant for UK and Ireland in Sanofi – Aventis
Pharmaceuticals

Gillian Molloy

AscellaHealth

Vice President of Market Access

Serving as Vice President of Market Access at AscellaHealth, Gillian brings 20 years of experience in the life sciences industry in both the European and US markets. She has held commercial and market access leadership positions at Baxter, Novartis Oncology and AstraZeneca, as well as trade relations and formulary strategy leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group. At AscellaHealth, Gillian provides strategic innovation and consultative market access support to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare organisations. Gillian holds a BSc (Pharmacy) and MSc (Hospital Pharmacy) from Trinity College Dublin, as well as an MBA from University College Dublin Smurfit Business School. Gillian also has a Diploma in Health Economics from the National University of Ireland Whitaker School of Government and Management.