Bio Integrates addresses the needs of innovative companies developing the therapies of the future, providing a distinguished forum to discuss the current challenges impacting the biotech sector, as well as strategies for unlocking potential and accelerating success. With a focus on the start-ups, biotech, and emerging pharmaceutical segments, Bio Integrates offers a unique opportunity to engage with senior executives in biotechnology, contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMO), supply chain, and investment sectors.
STORM Therapeutics
Chief Scientific Officer
Oliver has overall responsibility for developing STORM’s target discovery platform and for the delivery of small molecule drugs from its emerging drug discovery pipeline. Oliver worked closely with scientific founders Professors Tony Kouzarides and Eric Miska to secure the initial £12m series A investment that launched STORM, and subsequently joined the company full time in October 2016.
Prior to STORM, Oliver was Programme Director at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), where he led the Translational Research Partnerships (TRPs) initiative and other industry-focused collaboration programmes in experimental medicine and early drug development. He served as Vice President Biology at Cellzome until the company’s acquisition by GSK in 2012, and as Director of Biology at UCB Pharma until 2008.
Oliver has over 15 years’ drug discovery experience in inflammation, neurology and oncology. He holds a degree in Biochemistry from the Free University Berlin and a PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the Institute of Cancer Research in London.
Rinri Therapeutics Ltd
Chief Technical Officer
Terri has over 20 years of life sciences R&D experience in both academic and industry roles with a focus on the development and translation of cell- and gene-based therapies. Before joining Rinri, Terri worked at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult for over seven years on the translation of a broad range of candidate therapies, including stem cell derived, alongside underpinning technologies and infrastructure. Her role at CGT Catapult also included advising academics and small companies on the development of advanced therapies.
Prior to this, Terri held senior roles in industry focussed on the development of processes for the expansion and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells for therapeutic use and drug discovery. Terri received her BSc. (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee and holds a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Edinburgh.
Complement Therapeutics
Founding member & Director Portfolio Management
Harry has a biochemistry and biochemical engineering background from Imperial College and UCL. He has diverse experience working in cross-functional and founding teams to build early-stage biotech developing ATMP. He has previously led process development at LIfT Biosciences and later supported the company in fundraising, strategies & operations and orchestrating timely milestone deliveries. Harry completed his MBA in 2021.
LinkGevity
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Dr. Kern is the CEO of LinkGevity, an AI-powered biotech company driving innovation in drug discovery for aging and resilience loss. With a distinguished background in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Evolutionary Biology, and Genetics, she is renowned for her pioneering work on aging mechanisms and lifespan extension. Her labs are based at the Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge. Her research has led to the development of a first-in-class necrosis inhibitor targeting cellular degeneration (Anti-Necrotic™). This novel therapeutic is ready to begin Phase II clinical trials later this year, as a potential breakthrough treatment for kidney disease and associated accelerated aging, with UK Government (Innovate UK), Francis Crick Institute KQ labs, and European Union (Horizon) support. The Anti-Necrotic™ has also been selected as one of only 12 global innovations for NASA’s Space-Health program, recognizing its potential to mitigate accelerated aging in astronauts on long-duration space missions.
Cizzle Biotechnology PLC
Chairman
An experienced international technology and life sciences senior executive, with extensive PLC board level and Public Sector Service. In depth background in licensing, corporate financing, IPO’s, M&A and managing strategic change with blue chip companies worldwide
Astellas Europe
Scouting & Transaction Lead, Business Development
Hiro Usuda is Scouting & Transaction Lead, Business Development at Astellas. He moved to Cambridge, UK, in 2021 when Astellas launched a BD office there. He is responsible for introducing European technologies and assets to global Astellas, communicating with external partners, and creating new collaborations, licensing, M&A, and investments (including those in Cell and gene therapy). Hiro started his career at Astellas as a medicinal chemist, developing candidate drugs in immunology and oncology drug candidates as a bench chemist and group leader.
Cambridge Ahead & ARU Governing Body
Chair & Member
Since January 2024 Harriet enjoys a portfolio career which includes a range of consultancy, pro bono and charitable work. She sits on the Governing Body of ARU, is Chair of Cambridge Ahead and Cambridge Science Centre, and is the Founder Director of HFA Ltd, the latter being her advisory company.
Harriet was a Diplomat for over 20 years with the British Foreign Office. She served in 17 countries, in various roles including Deputy Ambassador 3 times, Head of Press and Public Affairs and Head of Commercial Services. She regularly served in hostile environments, trouble-shooting specific crises including in the Congo, Cambodia and Ethiopia.
Half her diplomatic career was spent in the commercial field, helping SME’s trade internationally. For 5 years she was the Head of the Governments national Life Sciences and Healthcare Trade Team.
Harriet was Chief Executive of One Nucleus from 2009 to 2017, which became the largest life science and healthcare membership body in Europe under her leadership. She was then involved in the thinking behind Cambridge&, the shop window for Cambridge for international companies seeking to set up in Cambridge, from its earliest days in 2018 and led it from incorporation until the end of 2023.
Harriet was the Prime Minister’s Business Ambassador for Life Sciences for 5 years to 2018. She has worked at the heart of the Cambridge business ecosystem since 2003. She was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2016 for her services to Healthcare and Life Sciences.
RNAvate
Chief Executive Officer
Enterprising innovator, company builder and commercial operator with demonstrable success of creating significant value in Big Pharma and Biotech environments. Experienced Executive and Non-Exec Board Director, CEO, COO & CBO. Fellow of the U.K. Institute of Directors.
Experience & Expertise: building international company start-ups, raising capital including equity, non dilutive grant & licensing finance, establishing & leading high performing teams, product development and corporate strategy, deal making, delivering projects, implementing change and creating shareholder and patient centric value.
Speciality: Immuno-oncology, small molecules, viral vectors, vaccines and nucleic acid technologies.
T-Therapeutics Ltd
Chief Executive Officer
Theodora Harold was appointed CEO of T-Therapeutics in March 2025. Theodora has over 25 years’ experience in the biotech sector, with a proven track record of dynamic leadership.
She has raised significant capital for multiple companies as well as originating and driving numerous, high-profile, business development deals.
She brings strong prior experience at the Board level and has held executive leadership positions in development and clinical stage oncology focused companies, most recently as CEO of Crescendo Biologics.
Theodora was on the founding management teams of MISSION Therapeutics and PsiOxus Therapeutics. She worked on life sciences transactions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant, and graduated from the University of Cambridge.
ICG
Managing Director and Head of Life Sciences
Prior to ICG, Allan was Founder and Managing Partner of Bridge Valley Ventures, a successful life science investor, and prior to this was a Partner and Founder of Apposite Capital. Before this Allan was at Abingworth.
Formerly a PhD medicinal chemist at Pfizer, he later founded and was CEO of his own life sciences company before it was successfully acquired by Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. in 2000 where he became SVP Technology. On his return to the UK in 2003 Allan joined Abingworth to begin his investment career.
How do we mitigate risks and build supply chain resilience in a turbulent world? From navigating the rough seas of geopolitical risks, tariffs, and the impact of the Biosecure Act to discussing the supply chain compass: nearshoring, India, China, and shifting global dependencies. Can collaborations with CDMOs, biotech partnerships, and outsourcing opportunities offer stability?
High Force Research
Chief Commercial Officer
For the last 15 years, Nathalie has held various leadership positions in both tactical and strategic marketing and, more recently, in sales and business development, successfully building/deploying territorial strategies to support revenue growth for companies offering discovery, development, manufacturing, nonclinical/clinical and commercial solutions for Biotech/Pharma innovators in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
She is also a Strategic Advisor Board member at BioNow and a career mentor for young science graduates with the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
In 2020 and 2021, she was named one of the Northern Powerhouse Export champions for successfully building and deploying export strategies for a UK entity (Arcinova) leading to market penetration in new/unexplored territories.
She holds an executive MBA with Entrepreneurship Specialism from Warwick Business School, BSc and MSc degrees in Chemistry from the University of Strasbourg (France) and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of York.
Custom Pharma Services
Chief Executive Officer
Experienced Technical Director with extensive experience of working a in the pharmaceuticals industry.
I am expert in pharmaceutical development, manufacturing science and technology with a consistent track record of delivering high quality and robust medicines. I am experienced in Quality by Design, regulatory submissions and technology transfer.
I am an accomplished leader of technical functions and matrix teams across both Manufacturing and R&D organisations. I ensure success by setting the vision and develop strategies aligned to the organisations ambition, focusing on internal and external collaboration to deliver value.
As a leader of both line and matrix teams I have a people centric approach, setting high standards and driving delivery, whilst also creating an environment focused on personal development and continuous improvement to ensure everyone fulfils their potential.
Rinri Therapeutics Ltd
Chief Technical Officer
Terri has over 20 years of life sciences R&D experience in both academic and industry roles with a focus on the development and translation of cell- and gene-based therapies. Before joining Rinri, Terri worked at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult for over seven years on the translation of a broad range of candidate therapies, including stem cell derived, alongside underpinning technologies and infrastructure. Her role at CGT Catapult also included advising academics and small companies on the development of advanced therapies.
Prior to this, Terri held senior roles in industry focussed on the development of processes for the expansion and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells for therapeutic use and drug discovery. Terri received her BSc. (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee and holds a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Edinburgh.
STORM Therapeutics
Chief Scientific Officer
Oliver has overall responsibility for developing STORM’s target discovery platform and for the delivery of small molecule drugs from its emerging drug discovery pipeline. Oliver worked closely with scientific founders Professors Tony Kouzarides and Eric Miska to secure the initial £12m series A investment that launched STORM, and subsequently joined the company full time in October 2016.
Prior to STORM, Oliver was Programme Director at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), where he led the Translational Research Partnerships (TRPs) initiative and other industry-focused collaboration programmes in experimental medicine and early drug development. He served as Vice President Biology at Cellzome until the company’s acquisition by GSK in 2012, and as Director of Biology at UCB Pharma until 2008.
Oliver has over 15 years’ drug discovery experience in inflammation, neurology and oncology. He holds a degree in Biochemistry from the Free University Berlin and a PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the Institute of Cancer Research in London.
Abzena
Chief Scientific Officer
Campbell has been with Abzena 10 years where he has led a talented team of scientists across a diverse range of expertise and capabilities to support drug discovery, design, and development for a wide range of clients from spin outs and start-ups, through biotech and Pharma. He ensures that Abzena’s strong innovation focus and depth of scientific expertise is maintained through technological developments and works in partnership with clients to design and deliver solutions that support their program needs from concept to GMP manufacture.
Campbell has worked in the biotech sector for 28 years and has experience in taking multiple drug candidates through key value inflexion points to out license to Pharma. Throughout this time, he has applied innovative solutions for the design, manufacture and clinical evaluation of novel drug candidates including vaccines, biologics, and small molecules in multiple therapeutic areas.
Before joining Abzena in 2015, he held multiple positions of increasing responsibility in Biotech including Head of Cellular Immunology at Cantab Pharmaceuticals, Director of Programs at Piramed Pharma, and R&D Director at Immune Targeting systems.
Campbell has a Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Manchester, UK, an Executive MBA from Judge Business School, Cambridge University, UK and has published multiple papers on cell-mediated immunity, immunotherapy and vaccines.
Mills & Reeve
Partner
Stephanie is a lawyer in the Mills & Reeve LLP life sciences team, with experience in intellectual property, data protection, commercial contracting and regulatory work. She supports a wide variety of clients in the sector across the full product life cycle.
Her work includes advising on research and development agreements, collaborations and intellectual property licences. A key focus of her work is supporting clients on strategic decisions influenced by the regulatory framework, development and licensing of products, research collaborations and data protection implications in research and clinical trials, including cross-border issues.
Stephanie has supported her clients in connection with their efforts to respond to, and develop treatments for, major epidemic and pandemic threats over the past decade, including collection and transfer of patient samples internationally.
How to stay ahead of the competition, maximize trial value, and keep costs in check—while delivering results that win over investors.
SEDA
Director, Complex Medicines at Seda Pharmaceutical Development Services
Claire Patterson is the Director of Complex Medicines at Seda Pharmaceutical Development Services. She holds a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Nottingham and University College London.
With almost 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Claire has held various roles in team and project leadership in Early and Late Stage Product Development. She specialises in subcutaneous and complex parenteral biopharmaceutics, including nanomedicines and other non-oral routes of administration.
At Seda, Claire acts as a consultant and project lead, supporting clients in their development journey from asset to approval. She identifies essential experiments for each phase of development and delivers suitable data packages to meet regulatory expectations, ensuring the clinical program has the best chance of success through integrated clinical pharmacology and pharmaceutical development. Understanding that speed is crucial, particularly in the early stages of development, Claire and the team play a vital role in bringing new, innovative therapies to patients.
Genomics England
Strategic Partnerships Director
Dr James Duboff is a Strategic Partnerships Director at Genomics England, driving the translational impact of National genomic and clinical data by partnering with global Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies working in Cancer and Rare Disease. He has previously worked in Biopharmaceutical R&D at GlaxoSmithKline and consumer health R&D management at Procter & Gamble, as well as executive leadership roles within a number of UK-based life science focussed start-up and scale-up organisations. Dr Duboff has an Undergraduate and Masters degree in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry from the University of Oxford and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Cambridge.
Neobe Therapeutics
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer
Tumour microenvironment expert with over 12 years of research experience in top institutions including CRUK Cambridge Institute and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Authored multiple publications in immunooncology and contributed to development of innovative IO cell therapies at Triumvira Immunologics.
NG Bio
Principal
Richard is currently Principal at NG Bio, a specialist venture investor, builder and creator with a focus on therapeutics to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. In his role at NG Bio, Richard leads on technical and commercial due diligence of incoming opportunities. A research scientist by training, Richard spent 10 years in academic institutions, including 6 years at the Francis Crick Institute in London, working on a range of subjects, including small RNA gene regulation, and neuronal circuit development. Before joining NG Bio, Richard was part of the Technology Transfer Fellowship programme with LifeArc and completed a Masters in Finance.
Complement Therapeutics
Founding member & Director Portfolio Management
Harry has a biochemistry and biochemical engineering background from Imperial College and UCL. He has diverse experience working in cross-functional and founding teams to build early-stage biotech developing ATMP. He has previously led process development at LIfT Biosciences and later supported the company in fundraising, strategies & operations and orchestrating timely milestone deliveries. Harry completed his MBA in 2021.
FIAlab Instruments
Process Automation Director
Dan Hasle graduated University of San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry in 2016. He joined FIAlab Instruments in the fall of 2016 as an Applications Chemist, mainly supporting the pharmaceutical, soil and wine industries. As one of FIAlab’s lead chemists and programmers, Dan has been pivotal in the development of FIAlab’s online CQA platform, the ProSIAmpler. Recently, he has submitted two (2) patents for LCMS pre-treatment devices with goals to condense instrumentation and software needed in bioreactor sample handling. In his spare time, Dan is a foraging, gardening, fishing and tennis enthusiast.
The UK is home to a vibrant network of biotech hubs and innovation hotspots—how do you pick the perfect location to accelerate your growth?
Arise Innovation Hubs, Anglia Ruskin University
Director
Dr Beverley Vaughan joined the Arise Innovation Hubs as Director in June 2021, with over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare and life sciences sector.
Beverley trained as a clinical scientist in Haematology and working at Cambridge and London University Hospitals.
Working in the innovation sector for the last 10 years with roles in Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC), Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT) and the University of Oxford in programme manager and director level positions.
Whilst at SBC Beverley supported the development of translational research facilities and raised funding from multiple pharma and biotech companies for the Open Innovation Challenge in Neurodegeneration. At CGT Beverley managed a wide portfolio of project from novel drug discovery spin outs to NHS led delivery of cell therapy products. Most recently she was responsible for the delivery of a drug discovery consortium-UKSPINE- pivoting traditional pathways to meet the demands of healthy aging with partners, Universities of Oxford, Dundee and Birmingham, Medicines Discovery Catapult, The Francis Crick Institute and Sanger Centre Cambridge.
Since joining Arise as Director Beverley has been working on building the life science strategy for their newest hub located on the Harlow Innovation Park, leading on strategy, fund raising and partnering activities to build a cluster of expertise within this synapse of the London-Cambridge corridor. She is also a member of the NC3Rs CRACKIT advisory panel.
Canary Wharf Life Sciences
Associate Director, Science Ecosystem
Mairi leads ecosystem development for Canary Wharf Life Sciences. Canary Wharf is already home to over 40 life science and healthcare businesses and 100,000 sq ft of lab and office space (CL2/CL3). We aspire to become a globally recognised life science ecosystem in East London.
Mairi has a wealth of experience in early-stage tech fundraising, project management and outward facing relationship building (public and private sector). She began her career in major government-sponsored infrastructure projects before moving into the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape. As Head of Operations for a venture capital backed bio-tech start-up, she gained broad business experience bringing a product to market and fundraising both in the U.K. and abroad. Through her roles within the Catapult Network, Smart Specialisation Hub, Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network and most recently, establishing and leading Kadan’s national ecosystem strategy, Mairi has built a deep understanding of how to link the research, commercial and investment worlds.
Babraham Research Campus
Chief Scientific & Innovation Officer
Louise has almost 30 years’ experience working across the health and life sciences spectrum, working within academia, biotech and medium and large pharmaceutical organisations; from target discovery and R&D through to product launch and lifecycle management. In 2024, she was awarded a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence fellowship to support research translation and commercialisation activities at the Babraham Institute.
Louise is Strategic Advisor to Enhanc3D Genomics, a Babraham Institute spin out company, a long-standing member of the British Society for Immunology and on the Editorial Board for Immunotherapy Advances journal.
The focus of Louise’s role is to continue to strengthen the collaborative culture of the Campus in line with its vision to be one of the best places in the world to start, scale, nurture and grow a life sciences business. The immediate priorities include growing and broadening the Campus’ strategic partnerships with corporates, service providers, investors and trade organisations committed to accelerating and enabling vibrant UK life sciences researchers and companies – both those currently on Campus and new innovators which will be attracted as the Campus grows.
Louise will also oversee and further develop various on-Campus initiatives, including Accelerate@Babraham (pre-seed company support programme created out of a desire to nurture early-stage life science ventures attempting to navigate the tough and fast-moving sector life sciences sector) and LiveLabs (flexible, co-working lab space, providing fully serviced and equipped labs ideal for molecular biology and cell culture work for early-stage life science companies).
LinkGevity
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Dr. Kern is the CEO of LinkGevity, an AI-powered biotech company driving innovation in drug discovery for aging and resilience loss. With a distinguished background in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Evolutionary Biology, and Genetics, she is renowned for her pioneering work on aging mechanisms and lifespan extension. Her labs are based at the Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge. Her research has led to the development of a first-in-class necrosis inhibitor targeting cellular degeneration (Anti-Necrotic™). This novel therapeutic is ready to begin Phase II clinical trials later this year, as a potential breakthrough treatment for kidney disease and associated accelerated aging, with UK Government (Innovate UK), Francis Crick Institute KQ labs, and European Union (Horizon) support. The Anti-Necrotic™ has also been selected as one of only 12 global innovations for NASA’s Space-Health program, recognizing its potential to mitigate accelerated aging in astronauts on long-duration space missions.
Japeto
Chief Executive Officer
Leading Japeto, a forward-thinking and inclusive software development agency specialising in building better AI tools. We make AI useful and safe for the organisations that can’t risk getting it wrong.
We collaborate with healthcare, education, local government, and start-ups to solve problems and deliver impactful solutions.
What’s the blueprint for the biotech workforce of tomorrow? How can we cultivate a diverse culture, develop fresh skills, and welcome varied perspectives to fuel innovation and shape the future of the industry?
Kathryn Simpson Consulting Limited
Business Consultant
Kathryn is a respected and successful change leadership expert, with diverse career experience in Europe and North America. She has over 25 years of consulting and line experience with leading organisations (Unilever, Mars, KPMG and GSK). Since 2007 she has been leading her own independent consulting business, primarily working within the Life Sciences sector. By partnering with leaders at all levels within the sector, growth and sustainable success has resulted for the organisations she has worked with. She has recently published a book – “Leading for Change: How to thrive during uncertain times”.
She provides each organisation the approaches they need to meet their unique situation. Tailored approaches are used to develop a consolidated understanding of their environment and the priority challenges they face. This provides the basis for facilitating customised workshops where leaders not only create a desired future, but are ready to move forward and implement their ideas. Working with individual leaders or teams she advises how to bring other stakeholders with them so they achieve success together. These practical and supportive approaches create focus, accountability and collaboration across organisations and their partners. Organisations are left with an increased leadership capability and tangible business results.
Oxford Medical Products
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Camilla Easter, has ten years biotech/mechtech start-up as CEO/COO working exclusively on hydrogel based medical devices. Originally a veterinary surgeon, she has run veterinary clinical trials and launched the veterinary arm of a biotech company. Following on from this she moved into the human biotech sector, here she was involved with all aspects of the company including, R&D, fundraising, regulatory and preclinical trials for medical devices.
RNAvate
Chief Executive Officer
Enterprising innovator, company builder and commercial operator with demonstrable success of creating significant value in Big Pharma and Biotech environments. Experienced Executive and Non-Exec Board Director, CEO, COO & CBO. Fellow of the U.K. Institute of Directors.
Experience & Expertise: building international company start-ups, raising capital including equity, non dilutive grant & licensing finance, establishing & leading high performing teams, product development and corporate strategy, deal making, delivering projects, implementing change and creating shareholder and patient centric value.
Speciality: Immuno-oncology, small molecules, viral vectors, vaccines and nucleic acid technologies.
ValiRx
Chief Executive Officer
Recently appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board at VolitionRx. As a founding scientist, former Chief Technology Officer and previous Business Development Director this position reflects over 13 years experience with Volitions technology development including being named inventor on 25 volition patents.
Working on an exciting drug repurposing project targeting NETosis, the rapid release of chromatin and granular proteins by Neutrophils to neutralise pathogens, which can become over-activated in viral and bacterial sepsis. The molecule is particularly interesting for viral sepsis, as seen in COVID-19, as it targets a pathway also involved in TMPRSS2 expression and viral protein production – a potential triple whammy for treating viral sepsis.
Extensive experience in epigenetics both for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Working on several novel biomarker technologies including an imaging biomarker for oncology therpaeutics and safety biomarker, again in oncology.
In licensing of Antibodies and out licensing Research use kits for Volition’s Nucleosomics(TM) platform.
Partner in 3 Innovate U.K. Grants focussed on novel Freeze drying analytical instrumentation designed for accelerated formulation development.
Sygnature Discovery
Chief People Officer
I am a purpose led Chief People Officer with over two decades of Strategic, Operational and People Change experience across multiple sectors and geographies. Over the years I have sought to solve complex business problems through people, balancing commercial rigour with pragmatism, warmth and empathy.
I have a restless thirst to learn, develop and question the status quo. I do this by immersing myself in the business I work and crafting relevant strategies and plans that drive meaningful change for positive business impact. I build deep, trusted relationships and create followership within my teams. I am passionate about unlocking the potential in people and invest time to coach, support and allow individuals to flourish through work, my coaching, mentoring and volunteering.
While biotech investment is on the rise, early-stage innovations are still struggling to secure funding. A discussion on the potential ripple effects across the industry.
Cizzle Biotechnology PLC
Chairman
An experienced international technology and life sciences senior executive, with extensive PLC board level and Public Sector Service. In depth background in licensing, corporate financing, IPO’s, M&A and managing strategic change with blue chip companies worldwide
Astellas Europe
Scouting & Transaction Lead, Business Development
Hiro Usuda is Scouting & Transaction Lead, Business Development at Astellas. He moved to Cambridge, UK, in 2021 when Astellas launched a BD office there. He is responsible for introducing European technologies and assets to global Astellas, communicating with external partners, and creating new collaborations, licensing, M&A, and investments (including those in Cell and gene therapy). Hiro started his career at Astellas as a medicinal chemist, developing candidate drugs in immunology and oncology drug candidates as a bench chemist and group leader.
Laverock Therapeutics
Chief Executive Officer
Prof David Venables has three decades of experience as a serial biotech entrepreneur having taken companies from creation through to acquisition or IPO, and taken products from development through to commercial launch. Currently Founding CEO of Laverock Therapeutics, Board member of Axol Bioscience and NovelGen, and mentor to a number of start-ups.
David has held CEO or Senior Executive roles in AskBio, Synpromics, Nightstar, Anatara Lifesciences, Ark Therapeutics, Valneva; is Honorary Professor at Edinburgh University, and holds a PhD in Bioprocess Engineering from University of Surrey.
Syncona
Investor
A collaborative and diligent biotech investment executive with experience in company creation, syndicated financing, M&A transactions, and on Wall Street across a range of therapeutic areas and modalities. Extensive experience as a board director. Former investment banker with excellent grasp of capitalisation, financing options, market dynamics, and strategy, and capable of running teams internally and externally.
AI is transforming industries, including biotech, but how can we move beyond the buzz and build a strategy that unlocks its true value while managing risks?
Mills & Reeve
Partner and Head of Life Sciences
James heads Mills & Reeve’s multi-disciplinary life sciences practice. He supports businesses across the full product lifecycle, from start-up to commercialisation.
A key focus of his work is supporting clients on strategic contracting covering technology / IP in and out- licensing transactions, research collaborations, clinical trial agreements and long term partnering agreements. James also advises on sector regulation including pharma and medical device regulation, market access, borderline products, advertising and clinical trials.
Baseimmune
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Josh has a PhD in Vaccinology and Infectious Diseases from the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford where he pioneered computational approaches to design vaccines against various infectious diseases. He’s designed a number of vaccines against diseases such as dengue and chikungunya to human papilloma virus (HPV) and malaria. Two of his vaccine candidates are currently in human clinical trials and licensed to pharma. For the last three years he worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College London, developing new ways to create malaria vaccines. In 2019 he co-founded Baseimmune to generate mutation-proof vaccines through deep learning technology.
Ignota Labs
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Jordan Lane has extensive experience in the AI drug discovery space and is driven by a profound commitment to revolutionizing drug discovery; integrating artificial intelligence with bioscience to enhance drug safety and efficacy. At Ignota Labs, Dr. Lane leads innovation; leveraging his extensive background in biochemistry, genetics, and AI to pioneer transformative treatments in global patient care. His journey began at the University of Nottingham, where he earned a BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics, followed directly by a PhD focused on Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dr. Lane’s early academic success included contributing to over 15 works in the field. His work led to strategic roles in the biopharmaceutical industry, from developing oncology assets at AstraZeneca to spearheading AI-driven drug discovery projects at LabGenius and BenevolentAI. His career is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a visionary approach to the future of medicine.
Charles River Laboratories
Chief Scientific Officer (Early Discovery)
Justin joined Charles River Laboratories in 2022 as Chief Scientific Officer (Early Discovery) and in this role he works closely with a range of experts to develop CRL’s drug discovery strategy, explore opportunities with existing and prospective clients, evaluate new areas of science and technology and develop new approaches to strengthen the CRL offering. Justin trained as a chemist at the universities of York and Oxford, the latter being as a post-doc under Professor Sir Jack Baldwin. Since then, he has gained over 30 years’ experience in drug discovery at several biotechnology and pharma companies including Parke-Davis and Pfizer. Prior to joining CRL, he spent 16 years as Director of Drug Discovery at LifeArc, a UK based charity and not-for-profit organisation, where he led a team covering chemistry, biology, antibodies and diagnostics. Justin holds an honorary professorship at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and he teaches on various aspects of drug discovery at QMUL, University College London and the Wellcome Trust. He also sits on a range of advisory committees and panels in the UK and Sweden. Justin Bryans
ARU is an innovative global university with students from 185 countries coming to study with us.
We’re proud to have received a Gold award for the quality of our education in the Teaching Excellence Framework, a UK-wide review of university teaching standards
We’re a place where collaboration, research and scholarly activity informs everything we do. Many of our courses are recognised by industry and a large number are professionally accredited, making our students career-ready.
Each year, we also help 2,000 businesses grow with interns, training, research and collaborative programmes.
