Careers in Discovery

Marcel Gehrung, Cyted

"If you start a company, it comes with responsibility and accountability. That's not always written on the label, but things like becoming a responsible employer and understanding that equity funding is there to help you create value, not just spend money, are great lessons to learn early."

Marcel Gehrung is the CEO of Cyted, an AI-driven company developing digital diagnostic infrastructure to enable the earlier detection of disease.

Marcel talked with us about his career in AI and other entrepreneurial ventures, the reality of implementing new technologies in primary & secondary care environments and starting a company in the lockdown era.

Enjoy!

Helen Horton, Touchlight Genetics

"Be broader in your thinking, and try to grow your network with people who don't necessarily do the same things you do which could be useful, certainly early in your career."

Helen Horton is the Chief Research Officer at Touchlight Genetics, a synthetic DNA company developing a range of novel vaccines, including for cancer and covid-19.

We spoke to Helen about her career, along with:

🧬 How thinking ahead improves your research

🧬 Moving jobs (and countries!) at the height of a pandemic

🧬 Why passion is essential for scientists

Enjoy!

Terri Gaskell, Rinri Therapeutics

"Don't be bound by what you think you should be doing, and keep looking for opportunities to learn new skills and to meet new people. Networking and personal development are hugely important."

Terri Gaskell is an expert in stem cell research, and she recently joined Rinri Therapeutics as Chief Technology Officer to help develop regenerative therapies for hearing loss.

We talked about her career in cutting edge research, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Biotech sector, how the stem cell field has advanced over the course of her career, and transitioning into industry.

Keith Foster, Sutura Therapeutics

"We don't just want to give kids with rare diseases hope, we want to give them a better life and better treatments."

Keith Foster is the Chief Scientific Officer of Sutura Therapeutics, a company he founded to develop precision gene therapies for rare diseases, starting with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy.

Sutura is a genuinely patient-focused company, and if you've ever wondered what patient-centricity truly is, Keith's interview is a must-listen.

Enjoy!

Alison Clayton, Biogelx

"When you get into a leadership role, it's your responsibility to make people good at their job, to support them and to develop them. You must take that responsibility."

Alison Clayton is the CEO of Biogelx, and she joined the company in May 2020, just as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the UK.

Alison sat down with us on Careers in Discovery to discuss the unique challenges that created for her as a new CEO, as well as her career in Biotech and the things she's learned about leadership along the way.

Dean Edney, Sai Life Sciences

"Reflect and think about your career over the next 3-5 years. If you do and you're proactive, and you work with your organisation, then you'll find your way to where you want to be, whereas if you're passive, you'll end up where the organisation wants you to be."

Dean Edney is the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Process R&D at Sai Life Sciences, a rapidly growing CDMO with real ambition.

Dean joined us on Careers in Discovery to discuss his journey so far, as well as:

🧪Process chemistry and the unique scientific challenges it presents

🧪How a love of learning has driven his career

🧪Moving from a major global Pharma to an up-and-coming organisation

Enjoy!

David Gilham, Celyad

"There are always more options than you think. It's very easy to be stuck in a position and assume that there are very few doors open to you....no matter where you are in your career, it's important to realise that you always have options."

David Gilham is a true pioneer of the CAR-T cell therapy field. Now the Chief Scientific Officer of Celyad, David has seen T-cell based technology grow from academic special interest to global concern producing treatments for patients every day.

Along with sharing his career journey, David talked to us about:

🧪 The early days of CAR-T research

🧪 The pros and cons of working in a completely novel field

🧪 What a CSO does in a clinical-stage Biotech

Enjoy!

Paul Peter Tak

"Someone asked me to consider the fact that you may help hundreds, maybe thousands of patients as a physician and by training physicians, but if you develop a medicine which has a profound effect in diabetes, cancer or rheumatology, then you can touch the lives of millions of people. I found that to be a compelling argument."

Paul Peter Tak has built an incredibly varied career centred around a mission of bringing transformative medicines to patients.

As a physician, scientist, academic, corporate executive, investor, board member and CEO, he's experienced almost every side of the Biotech sector.

He joined us on Careers in Discovery to talk about his journey, as well as:

🩺 The difference between transformative medicines and those that show significant results

🩺 Creating strong teams to deliver innovation

🩺 The importance of decision making

Enjoy!