Andrew joined Unilever as a marketing trainee in 1985 after studying Biochemistry at Cambridge University. He is a founding Director of Unilever Ventures which focuses on investments in Home and Personal Care Technology. He has been involved as a Director in the set-up and development of three other life science businesses (BAC BV, Pharmakodex Ltd. and Insense Ltd.).

Dr. Howell has a strong background in clinical and commercial pharmaceutical product development, manufacture, supply and licensing across a range of product types and therapeutic areas having served in a number of leading roles in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as Vice President for CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls) and Technical Development for BTG where she had full responsibility for CMC development and supply across BTG’s diverse portfolio of clinical and commercial products. Previously she held senior roles in product development and manufacturing for UCB-Celltech and GlaxoSmithKline. She is also an active member of the BioIndustry Association (BIA) Manufacturing Advisory Committee. Dr. Howell has an honours degree in Chemistry from the University of Birmingham and a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of St Andrews.

Andy is an established biotechnology entrepreneur and business angel with broad experience of the UK biotechnology sector in research, drug development and in building commercial relationships. He is the Chairman of Altacor Ltd, and a Non-Executive Director of Vectura plc. Aitua Ltd, Biowisdom Ltd, Babraham Bioscience Technology Ltd, Cancer Research Technology Ltd (the commercial arm of Cancer Research UK), Pharmakodex Ltd, Theradeas Ltd and Summit Corp plc. He is also a founder member of the Cambridge Angels, and a director of the BIA (Bio Industry Association). In 1992, he co-founded Chiroscience and was the Business Development Director through to its merger in 1999 with Celltech.

Alan is the Senior Vice President and the Chief Scientific Officer of Genzyme Corporation. He has overall responsibility for the company’s science. Prior to becoming an active member of Genzyme, Alan was the vice president and scientific director of Integrated Genetics, a company that was acquired by Genzyme in 1989. Presently Alan also sits on the Scientific Advisory Boards of the Massachusetts Life Science Centre, Cancer Research Institute in Cambridge UK, Cambridge Stem Cell Centre and Healthcare Ventures. Alan has published extensively on the genetic code and protein synthesis, tumor virology, cell biology and cystic fibrosis. He holds a B.A. from Christ’s College, Cambridge and a Ph.D. from the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, England. In May 2010 Alan was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Angus is a co-founder and Managing Director of Solon Ventures Limited, a venture capital company which focuses on UK technology and healthcare companies. Prior to co-founding Solon, he worked for Thompson Clive & Partners, a venture capital company, where he remains a Non-Executive Director. Angus sits on the boards of Peakdale Molecular Ltd and Prosonix Ltd in the life sciences sector, and has other board roles with technology companies. Angus holds a law degree from Pembroke College, Cambridge.

Tom has a background in management, strategy development, deal negotiation and fundraising for entrepreneurial biopharmaceutical companies. He was the CEO of Sirus Pharmaceuticals Limited, a company developing drugs based upon advanced delivery technologies, which he built through internal development and acquisition and then successfully sold to Arakis Limited in 2004. He was also a Chairman and founder of Lotus Healthcare Corporation, an Asian-based fully integrated pharmaceutical company producing and marketing analgesics, cardiovascular and GI products in 35 cities of China. He was also CEO of Cell Systems Limited, a company focusing on medical applications of cryo-preservation and algal biotechnology, and Executive Vice President of a multibillion dollar trade and finance company based in New York. As a ministerial appointment in the US Government, Tom was a principal trade negotiator for the United States during the Tokyo Round. Tom represents the United Kingdom as a member of the Europa Bio Board of Directors. Tom holds an MBA from Harvard University, doctoral studies in molecular biology at the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Munich and a degree in molecular biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

John Davis, Vincent, Sykes & Higham, Thrapston, Kettering, Northants, UK