Summary of career - Entrepreneurial Phase
This is a chronological record of my career.
Entrepreneurial Phase | Consulting Phase | Managerial Phase | Early Career
First Instar Limited (1997-date)
First Instar was established to provide consulting and management services to emerging Pharmaceutical, Health-Care and Biotechnology Companies and to advise corporate clients and institutions upon their interactions with this sector. Clients have included many of the countries leading Universities, early and later-stage ‘biotech’ companies and venture capital companies.
Equinox Pharma Limited (2006-2009)
Start-up CEO of this Imperial College spin out specialising in drug discovery based upon machine learning approaches
Avlar BioVentures (2000-2002)
I joined Avlar as Director of Investments after working for several months as a consultant. I was appointed to the board in April 2001 and became Chief Executive in July 2001. I was responsible for making initial investments eight companies, helped found three companies and was a Director of six portfolio companies – serving as Chairman of two. I also played a significant role in raising Avlar BioVentures Fund II, which had a first close at £38 million.
Vectura Limited (1997- 2000)
As founder and Managing Director I brought the concept of founding a drug delivery company to Merlin Ventures. I was responsible for developing the technical and commercial strategy and raising £1.75 million from the Merlin fund in 1998. In August 1999 Vectura acquired Co-ordinated Drug Development Ltd and the Centre for Drug Formulation Studies at the University of Bath in an all share transaction. Vectura floated on AIM in 2005 and in 2007 is the UK's largest biotech company by market capitalisation.
PowderJect Pharmaceuticals Plc (1996-1997)
As Finance and Operations Director and UK General Manager. Working with the Chief Executive I established the financing strategy and managed the IPO, helped raise interim finance, restructured the technical organisation and established the infrastructure and attributes necessary in a plc. PowderJect was acquired by Chiron.
