Life-science and Medtech startups make the headlines when they are successful due to their high valuations. But what is it like to actually be part of a startup during the rapid growth phase, manging the uncertain science, navigating the complex regulatory landscape and dealing with investor expectations?
Phillip Monk will be providing an insight into what it actually takes to grow a successful life-sciences business from the perspective of an early hire.
About Dr Phillip Monk
After completing a degree in Pharmacology with Toxicology at King’s College London, Phill went on to complete a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Leeds. He then joined the pharmaceutical industry, working first in Bayer’s Respiratory Research Group before joining Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) as Director of Respiratory and Inflammation Biology. While at CAT, he was also the project leader for tralokinumab, an anti-IL-13 antibody that is now an approved treatment for atopic dermatitis.
Following AstraZeneca’s acquisition of CAT, he left to become Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at University of Southampton spinout Synairgen. There, he played a pivotal role in building the company’s capabilities and steering its lead asset, an inhaled antiviral protein called SNG001, from preclinical development into later-stage trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He subsequently became CSO at Antiverse, where he led the company’s drug discovery strategy aimed at demonstrating the potential of its AI-driven therapeutic antibody discovery platform. He left Antiverse following a successful Series A financing round and is currently an independent consultant, advising on scientific strategy and technical due diligence for new therapeutic and platform technologies.
Join us this autumn for the Innovation Academy Seminar Series, bringing together experienced innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to share insights on commercialisation, entrepreneurship, and building successful ventures.