Who's Who at Isis Innovation

Contact details for individual members of staff can be found on the Contact Details page or click on their name below.

Managing Director

Tom Hockaday

Tom Hockaday became Managing Director of Isis Innovation Ltd in 2006, having joined Isis in 2000.  Before moving to Oxford in March 2000, Tom was at Bristol University for seven years where he was Managing Director of Bristol Innovations Ltd; before that Tom worked in UCL’s research contracting section for four years.  Tom was Chairman of UNICO in 2003, the UK’s technology transfer trade association.  Tom was on the founding Committee of Praxis, the UK’s  national training programme aimed at technology transfer professionals, from 2002 to 2005.

University Relationship Manager: Business Support Group

Fiona Story

Fiona studied medical microbiology at Edinburgh University following a year working in pharmaceutical microbiology. Her PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology (molecular pharmacology of phosphodiesterases) was completed at Glasgow University on a BBSRC CASE studentship. This was sponsored by AstraZeneca and the first year of study was completed at their research facility in Loughborough. After a year in a business development role she spent 3.5 years with Invitrogen Ltd as a technical adviser and then in their sales team.

Head of Group: technology transfer Group

Linda Naylor

Before moving to Isis in July 2002, Linda was based at the University of York where she was manager of Bioincubator York Ltd and was responsible for the commercialisation of Bioscience research either through company start-up or licensing. Linda was also part of the White Rose Biotechnology Consortium which was established to exploit the possible synergies between the Universities of York, Sheffield and Leeds to maximise the commercial potential of life science research from the three Universities. Linda has had over 20 years experience in the Life Science industry with Zeneca plc / ICI plc during which time she was responsible for managing the biology research within developing life science businesses covering the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, biopolymer, chemical and food business. Linda has a B.A. in Biological Sciences and an M.B.A. from the Saïd Business School, Oxford.

Project Managers: technology transfer group

Roy Azoulay

After completing undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Physics, Roy joined embedded security start-up Discretix Technologies leading a team of software engineers to deliver innovative security solutions to tier-1 multinationals. Roy next completed an MBA from Oxford University's Saïd Business School, during which time he acted as Portfolio Manager for the school’s venture fund, monitoring the fund's existing investments and leading two new ones in early stage technology ventures. Roy won a competitive Isis-SBS Fellowship working with the Isis Technology Transfer group to formulate a strategy for software commercialisation; he joined Isis as a permanent Project Manager in January 2010.

Ruth Barrett

After completing her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Oxford, Ruth completed her PhD at Cambridge in Developmental Genetics in 2002. She then joined the Cambridge spin-out Daniolabs Ltd, becoming a Senior Research Associate and staying with the company from its inception in 2002 to its sale to Summit Plc in 2007. Ruth then spent two years as a consultant at PharmaVentures, where she focussed on commercial projects such as licensing, valuations (including ENPVs and benchmarking), deal analysis, fund raising assistance, due diligence and business plan assessment, primary/secondary research and competitive landscape analysis. As part of PharmaVentures’ Transactions team, Ruth was intimately involved with two successful, multi-million dollar divestments of API manufacturing businesses, from the Dow Chemical Company and Helsinn Healthcare. Ruth joined Isis as a technology transfer project manager in August 2009.

Dina Chen

Dina studied genetics as an undergraduate, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree at Peking University in 1996.  Upon graduation, Dina was sponsored by a fellowship from National Institutes of Health to continue studies in molecular cell biology at New York University-School of Medicine.  After completing her doctorate thesis in 2001 on cloning a GTPase and identifying the protein’s function in introcellular vesicle transport, Dina joined Medarex Inc., an antibody engineering company, as a research scientist.  At Medarex, she designed and supervised dozens of antibody development projects. In 2004, Dina obtained an MBA degree at University of Oxford, Said Business School and completed several early stage biotechnology commercialization projects. Prior to joining Isis Innovation in May 2006, Dina worked as a business manager for Quality Nighthawk Teleradiology Group in California.

David Churchman

David gained his PhD and MSc from the University of Surrey where he studied Inorganic Analytical Chemistry and Radiation and Environmental Protection respectively. For the past seven years, David has applied his academic background to the commercial sector leading hi-tech scientific product development through international Marketing and Sales roles, such as the Micromass Inorganic Mass Spectrometer group. David joined Isis in April 2004 from a Cambridge University spin-out, where he was responsible for sales development of materials data management software to the U.S. aerospace industry.

Sarah Deakin

Sarah obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences at The University of Exeter.  Upon graduation Sarah completed a Masters Degree in Immunology at the University of Birmingham and remained to undertake a PhD in the Department of Medicine, entitled 'Novel Mechanisms of Lymphocyte Recruitment to the Liver', which resulted in the publication of several papers.  Sarah left academia to pursue a career in sales and prior to joining Isis was a Technical Sales Specialist with Invitrogen Ltd.  In her first year with Invitrogen she was awarded 'Best New Sales Recruit'. Sarah joined Isis as a Project Manager in October 2006. 

Jamie Ferguson

Having completed his PhD in Organic Chemistry at The University of Edinburgh, Jamie joined BP in 1996.  In 1999 he joined the Cambridge inkjet printing start-up Patterning Technologies Ltd (PTL).  On spinning out the Jetmask business from PTL, he became its Director of Business Development setting up and overseeing a number of the company’s commercial relationships within the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) market. Jamie played a key role in licensing Jetmask’s proprietary technology to Fujifilm Electronic Imaging Ltd (FFEI) in 2002 and took up a product management position with responsibility for PCB and inkjet based developments.  Within FFEI, he led the FineTrak FT300 laser photoplotter development and set up and managed the worldwide business. Jamie successfully obtained DTI funding under the Micro and Nanotechnology (MNT) Initiative and managed the collaborative research programme to develop an innovative hybrid imaging technology aimed at fine structure production.  Whilst at FFEI, Jamie completed an MBA with a dissertation looking at the strategic positioning of the company within a new business area.  He joined Isis Innovation in September 2006 as a Project Manager.

Evert Geurtsen

Evert studied Automotive Engineering in The Netherlands and then joined the new General Motors European Technical Center where he developed early applications of digital engine management systems and emission controls for car-manufacturers in Europe and the Far East. He moved to Lotus Engineering five years later where, as Lotus’ Commercial Head and Client Director, he led many of the most challenging product and technology development projects for major car manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers. As Managing Director of a privately owned fleet logistics company he led a successful turnaround and then founded his own venture commercialising electric cars and technologies in 2005. Evert has an MBA from Warwick and joined Isis Innovation in September 2009 where his primary focus is on physical sciences, engineering and software. 

Mairi Gibbs

Mairi is a chemist by background, studying biosynthesis during her PhD at Bristol after graduating from Oxford. She then spent several years working in the fine chemicals industry, where she managed a team of chemists developing aqueous dyes for use in photorealistic printing. Mairi is a named inventor on seven patents resulting from this work. Mairi joined Isis in 2002 as a Project Manager and has worked on a number of exciting projects including the spin-out Oxford Catalysts, which successfully floated on AIM in 2006. Mairi moved to a Project Team Manager position in 2008 and is currently Operations Manager for the Technology Transfer Group.

Angela Oldacres

Angela graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc in Plant Science. Following this she worked in technical sales for an agricultural merchant then went back into academia to obtain an MSc Applied Genetics and a PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, both at the University of Birmingham. Angela was awarded a one year Medici Fellowship at Birmingham where she worked to raise awareness and commercialise research from the Schools of Biosciences and Medicine. She then worked for a further three years in Knowledge and Technology Transfer at Birmingham City University, playing a leading role in identification and protection of IP, building strategic relationships for development and commercialisation of technology. Angela then moved to a commercial role at the UK Human Tissue Bank where she was responsible for Business Development and Sales. She played an influential role in evaluation of new products and business strategy and was instrumental in establishing a number of relationships, which ultimately led into a series of merger negotiations and exit opportunities for the business. Angela joined Isis Innovation in October 2009.

Carolyn Porter

Carolyn obtained a first class honours degree in Pharmacology from University College Dublin in 1991. She subsequently obtained a PhD in Immunology from Trinity College Dublin investigating the role of Protein Kinase C in T cell function. Following her PhD she held a post doctoral position in the Department of Biochemistry at Oxford University in the fields of cell signalling and Immunology. In 1998 Carolyn joined Ernst & Young as Life Sciences Knowledge Manager and went on to become a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group where she assisted Companies with fund raising, acquisitions and Company sales. She joined Chiron Vaccines in 2003 as a Business Development Director focusing on vaccines in 3 areas, meningitis, paediatric and travel. Carolyn's most recent industry position was Head of Search and Evaluation for Europe region in Novartis Vaccines Business Development team. Carolyn has an MBA from Warwick Business School and joined Isis as a Project Team Manager in March 2009.

Martin Procter

Martin obtained a first class honours degree in chemistry from the University of Southampton, and stayed on to complete a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry in 1996. After 18 months postdoctoral research at Florida State University, he returned to the UK as a Medicinal Chemist with OSI Pharmaceuticals in 1998 becoming a Project Leader and Collaboration Manager shortly after. In 2003 Martin joined Prosidion as Head of Chemistry, with responsibility for synthetic, computational and analytical chemistry. Martin is an author or inventor on over 50 papers and patent applications, and has been involved in the discovery of a number of compounds that have progressed to clinical trials. Martin joined Isis as a Project Manager in April 2010.

Rakesh Roshan

Rakesh - former Felix scholar - obtained a DPhil in Physics from the University of Oxford in 2001.    His thesis entitled “optical spectroscopy of semiconductor v-groove quantum wires” incorporated development and implementation of a novel near-field optical microscope.  After graduating from Oxford, Rakesh moved on to work for a leading Japanese electronics manufacturer, in their research and development wing. As a supervisor in the advanced optoelectronics department he was involved in developing several cutting edge technologies, at different levels of the value chain, including development of semiconductor lasers, optical communication systems for automotive applications, display technologies and solid-state lighting.  He was also involved in a variety of strategic roles focussing on the development of corporate technology road maps, market analysis and competitors’ IP analysis for mutual licensing agreements. Rakesh joined Isis as a project manger in August 2007.

Brijesh Roy

Brijesh studied Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry at St. Peter’s College, University of Oxford.  For his PhD, he moved to the Neural Signalling Laboratory in the Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research at University College London to research the pharmacology and enzyme kinetics of nitric oxide signalling. After publishing his thesis, Brijesh moved to the hedge fund, Millennium Capital Partners, as a healthcare analyst on a small trading team managing a $600m investment portfolio. Subsequently, he worked as an associate strategy consultant at LEK Consulting, gaining experience across a broad range of sectors, predominately supporting private equity clients.  Brijesh joined Isis Innovation in November 2009.

Emma Sceats

Emma studied for her undergraduate (M.Sci.) degree in Chemistry (with a year in Industry) at Bristol University. Her year in industry was spent at the DuPont Central Research & Development facility in Wilmington, Delaware (USA) researching homogeneous and heterogeneous organometallic catalysis. Upon graduating from Bristol in 2002 Emma obtained a scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she researched small molecule activation chemistry mediated by organometallic transition metal complexes. In 2004 Emma graduated from MIT with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree and commenced her doctorate studies in Chemistry at the University of Oxford. Emma completed her D.Phil. research, which has focused on theoretical calculations of carbon nanotubes filled with molecules and one-dimensional crystals, in August 2007. Emma joined Isis in May 2007.

Andy Self

Andy obtained a BSc honours degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Birmingham in 1999. Upon graduation, Andy spent 1 year at the CRC Department of Clinical Oncology at the University of Nottingham, researching a signalling pathway associated with a number of cancer cell types. Andy then switched to industry, spending 9 years at the drug discovery services company BioFocus DPI, initially as a lab based scientist, before being promoted into a project management role. In 2006, Andy moved into the commercial team at BioFocus DPI, as Associate Director of Business Development, where he was responsible for Biology business generation within Europe. Andy joined Isis as a Project Manager in July 2009.

Brendan Spillane

Brendan studied for a Degree in Applied Biology and PhD research in DNA Fingerprinting, where he was involved in significant amounts of programming for his own research and for the department. Brendan then spent 2 decades commercially in scientific and mainstream software and IT, in positions such as Sales and Marketing Manager for PDI, Inc. a scientific software company, and Global Strategic Account Director at Computer Associates. More recently he founded and ran a consultancy providing assistance to SMEs purchasing IT systems. Brendan joined Isis in August 2009.

Colin Story

Colin read biological sciences at Swansea University during which he was awarded the Ivor Isaac prize for academic excellence. For a further 3.5 years at Swansea University and Plymouth Marine Laboratories, Colin performed detailed research investigating intracellular calcification in algae using a variety of molecular biology techniques including 2D gel electrophoresis and fluorescence confocal imaging. After obtaining his doctorate in 1997 Colin joined Amersham International (now GE Healthcare) as a development scientist. After three years in this position Colin became a Project Manager within R&D. In March 2002 Colin moved into a commercial role as Product Manager for proteomics labelling and detection where he remained until joining Isis as a Project Manager in January 2005. In January 2008, Colin was promoted to the position of Project Team Manager at Isis.

Christine Whyte

Christine obtained a first class honours degree in Microbiology from the University of Bristol then obtained a DPhil at the University of Oxford, studying gene expression in bacteria. In 1991 she joined Unilever as a management trainee, based in the women’s health and diagnostics company Unipath. She had a number of roles in marketing, research management and clinical trials in the diagnostics company Oxoid (now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific). Christine spent 6 years at Cancer Research Technology where she negotiated a number of licences for clinical stage small molecules and immunotherapeutics, as well as being on the board of the spin-out company Hybrid Biosystems. She also advised several of Cancer Research UK’s drug development committees on matters relating to intellectual property. In 2003 Christine joined Oxxon Therapeutics as In-Licensing Manager before spending some time as a freelance consultant. Christine joined Isis Innovation in October 2007.

John Wilson

John completed his PhD in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol. He spent five years conducting research into colloidal systems, both at Virginia Tech and in the Department of Physics at Bristol. John spent seven years as a project manager for Unilever, leaving this position to become the CEO of a Unilever spin-out. Today John is a project manager in the Tech Transfer group, helping to commercialise Oxford technology in the life and physical sciences.

Weng Sie Wong

Weng Sie obtained a BSc honours degree in pharmacology at University College London and went on to complete a PhD in toxicology at the university. Her PhD was sponsored by a BBSRC CASE studentship in collaboration with SmithKline Beecham, and she spent ten months in their R&D labs in Harlow. After obtaining her doctorate, Weng spent three years at University of Edinburgh undertaking postdoctoral research, investigating the mechanisms that protect small cell lung cancer cells from chemotherapeutic agents. At the same time, she completed a part-time MBA at the University of Edinburgh Management School. Following this, Weng worked as a medical sales representative at GlaxoSmithKline for 21 months before joining Isis as a Project Manager in October 2006.

Seed Investment Manager: technology transfer group

Andrea Alunni

Andrea joined Isis in August 2008 as Seed Investment Manager to help the University of Oxford invest at proof-of-concept level and raise finance for progressing technology spin-outs.  An electronics engineer by background, Andrea gained an MSc in Strasbourg (France-1994) in the field of Technology Transfer and an MBA in Rome (Italy-1995) focusing on finance. His professional experience spans 15 years in financing technology, from corporate finance in Telecom Italia, technology investment banking at Nomura and private equity at CDC Capital Partners. Andrea is the author of two books in the field of competitive acquisitions in the technology sector.

head of group: oxford university Consulting

Steve Lee

Steve, orginally an aerospace engineer, has over twenty years experience of industry and external consultancy working for companies such as BAE, Siemens and PwC. He has extensive experience of managing technology and product development projects, and of improving business processes to support innovation and product development capability. His experience includes working with a number of local high tech businesses with Oxford University connections. Steve is a Chartered Engineer with Masters degrees in Engineering and Business and has a first degree Psychology.

Project Managers: oxford university Consulting

Susan Clark

Susan has been involved in systems technology implementation projects in a consulting capacity for over 20 years. Specialising in SAP implementations Susan has managed major programmes across diverse industry sectors such as oil, chemicals, high tech, retail, manufacturing, and the public sector. Susan holds an MBA from Oxford University's Saïd Business School, a post-graduate diploma in Technology Management and is currently undertaking a dissertation in Technology Management to complete her MSc. Susan is a member of the Project Management Institute, the British Computer Society and is PRINCE2 qualified.

Andrew Goff

Prior to joining Isis in February 2003, Andrew was Business Development Director at Penguin Digital Media and latterly Pearson Broadband. At Pearson he was responsible for setting up a business to license digital intellectual property and to commercially exploit the group's media development capabilities. Prior to this Andrew was with Dorling Kindersley Multimedia for six years where he was Director of Sales and Marketing. Andrew started his career in publishing at Oxford University Press, where he held posts in book commissioning and marketing. Andrew has a BSc in Zoology from the University of Bristol and five years' research experience with the Medical Research Council both in Cambridge and the University of Oxford.

Gurinder Punn

Gurinder has held roles of Team Leader for Business Clusters at a regional development agency and senior sales management positions within the automotive, electronics and engineering sectors. In previous roles he has set a joint venture to commercialise intellectual property and managed pan European sales operations. He holds an MBA from University of Birmingham and has represented the UK at the 2004 Commonwealth Study Conference in Australia. He has also written and published a photographic book exploring landscapes as diverse as Antarctica, Alaska, Patagonia, Iceland and New Zealand.

Josef Walker

Josef obtained his PhD in Molecular Immunology from University College London in January 2004 investigating the interaction between human dendritic cells and type I interferons using cDNA microarrays and subsequently spent two years engaged in post-doctoral research at The Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research at Compton in Berkshire.  Josef then joined the consultancy firm PharmaVentures, where he spent four and a half years providing strategic support to pharmaceutical and biotech companies through product valuations, portfolio reviews, deal benchmarking and competitive licensing landscape analysis.  Josef joined Isis in April 2010.

Head of group: Isis Enterprise

David Baghurst

David studied chemistry at the University of Oxford prior to completing a DPhil entitled "Applications of microwaves in chemical synthesis". Following two years as a fixed term lecturer in chemistry at Imperial College, London, David joined the Cookson Group as Head of the Advanced Products Group at the Cookson Technology Centre. The group carried out development work in a wide range of materials fields including studies in ceramics, electronic materials (solders and adhesives) and polymer products (fibres). David joined The Oxford Trust as Director of Industrial Programmes in 1996 supporting the creation and growth of high tech companies and encouraging technology business networks. David has an MBA from Warwick Business School and joined Isis in July 2002.

Consultants: Isis Enterprise

Elena Andonova

Elena is a graduate of the American University in Bulgaria with a double major in Economics and Business Administration; she then worked as a capital markets professional with Lehman Brothers in London where she was engaged in the structuring and marketing of bonds and other fixed income products. Elena next completed an MBA from Oxford's Saïd Business School. She won a competitive Isis-SBS Fellowship, working with Isis Enterprise where she drove the establishment of the Intellectual Property lab in Bulgaria and was involved in several projects in Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine. Elena joined Isis Enterprise as a consultant in January 2010.

Costas Chryssou

Prior to joining Isis, Costas worked for Alcatel Submarine Networks as a Senior Engineer, SPI Lasers as a Project Leader and more recently Pera Innovation as an Innovation Projects Manager. Costas has a degree in Physics from the University of Athens, an MSc in microwaves and opto-electronics from University College London and a PhD in opto-electronics. He also gained his MBA from the University of Bath. Costas joined Isis in January 2010.

Samantha Gallagher

Sam completed her PhD in Biochemistry with ICI Pharmaceuticals at Cardiff University in 1993. She then became an MRC post-doctoral Research Fellow working in drug discovery and particle research in lungs. During her time in University she was involved in projects across Europe, as well as collaborations in the States. In 1999 Sam moved into Industry at Amersham Biosciences, the GE Healthcare as a Senior Scientists involved in the imaging platform development for cellular biology and high throughput screening. The work was multinational with a focus between the UK, Canada and the States. In 2005 Sam moved to Australia to become the director of R&D for Biopharmica Ltd, here she was a manager of a diverse portfolio of early stage reseach based in the Universities and Research Institutes around Australia. In 2006 Biopharmica Ltd formed the wholly owned subsidiary Molecular Discovery Systems and Sam became the acting CEO, building and directing the scientific portfolio and managing contracts with GE Healthcare. Sam joined Isis Enterprise in January 2009.

Sarah Macnaughton

Sarah completed her PhD in Microbial Ecology at the University of Newcastle in 1992. After three years in post-doctoral research at Newcastle she became the senior researcher at a US environmental analysis business.  Following this she joined the Centre for Environmental Biotechnology at the University of Tennessee before moving back to the UK in 2000 to join AEA Technology Environment and its Momenta operating division. At Momenta Sarah worked on a number of projects including research into bioremediation, management of a UK site for contaminated land research, a review of environmental science and training in the UK and the DTI BIOWISE Programme. Her final role at Momenta was as regional manager on the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme. Sarah joined Isis Enterprise in October 2006.

Chris Moody

Chris’ career in technology marketing and sales management includes senior positions with Helix Technology Corporation, Kulicke & Soffa Industries and KLA-Tencor Corporation, as well as a broad consultancy background with Edgeworth, Inc. His extensive international business experience, particularly in Asia, adds to the rich knowledge base within Isis Enterprise. Chris has also served on a number of industry and corporate boards. He holds a BA from the University of the Pacific in California and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Willamette University in Oregon.

Viraj Perera

Viraj is a biotechnologist with a PhD in Biotechnology from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Australia. Following a short contract as a postdoctoral researcher at RMIT, he co-founded a biotechnology start-up to develop molecular diagnostic tools for the rapid detection of respiratory bacterial pathogens. He managed the company as the CEO and is experienced in capital raising from private investors and government agencies, IP development and management, business planning, R&D project management, and start-up management. Following a successful start-up venture, Viraj joined the InnovationXchange (IXC) Australia as an innovation intermediary where he serviced clients from public and private sectors. Viraj then migrated to the UK and worked as a Business Development Manager at Warwick Ventures, the technology transfer office of the University of Warwick, where he was involved in commercialising university IP. Viraj joined Isis Enterprise in August 2010.

Terry Pollard

Terry studied physics at the University of Bristol, and then moved into a technical business consulting role. After four years consulting into many different industries, he decided to study for an MBA at the Tanaka Business School, Imperial College London.

Terry first joined Isis Innovation in 2003, where he worked as a project manager commercialising intellectual property from the physics, chemistry, materials and engineering departments. He was involved in the formation of several spinout companies, including Oxford Catalysts Ltd, a company that is developing specialty catalysts for the generation of clean fuels from conventional fossil fuels and renewable sources such as biomass. Oxford Catalysts floated on AIM in 2006, and Terry left Isis in early 2007 to join Oxford Catalysts, where he gained valuable experience in a business development role. Terry returned to work in a new role at Isis Enterprise in April 2008.

Ya-hsin Shen

Ya-hsin first joined Isis as a project manager for the Technology Transfer group in 2008. She managed a portfolio of different technologies from engineering to medical products and biotechnology. Ya-hsin became a consultant for Isis Enterprise group in 2009 to develop and expand Isis Enterprise's business operations in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan. Ya-hsin holds a first class honours degree in Bioindustry Engineering from the National Taiwan University in 2001 and a Master in Electrical Engineering from the National Chiao-Tung University. She obtained an MBA degree at Said Business School, University of Oxford in 2007, and her entrepreneurial project in Said was rewarded as a runner-up for the JPMorgan Best Entrepreneurial Project. Prior to the MBA, she was a researcher in Academia Sinica and an IT Specialist at IBM Life Sciences Center of Excellence.

Robert Swerdlow

Robert gained a masters in Economic Analysis from the University of Nottingham in 2007. Prior to joining Isis, he briefly worked for the Institute of Cancer Research before joining LMC International Ltd as a research economist. During his time at LMC, he was responsible for writing numerous economic reports on the subject of agricultural commodity markets. Robert joined Isis Enterprise in July 2008.

Roger Welch

Dr Roger Welch completed his PhD from the Physics Department of Warwick University in 1995. He then spent three years as a cryogenic systems design engineer working in the Oxford area. Later, Roger was involved in several sales and marketing positions dealing with new and innovative technologies closely associated with science and engineering including cryogenics, optics, optoelectronics, and vacuum technology. Roger joined Isis in September 2003.

Paul Whyte

Paul has experience in commercial leadership roles spanning the pharmaceutical, academic and emerging technology environments from partnering late stage pharmaceutical products to exploiting innovative emerging products and technologies. Prior to joining Isis Enterprise, Paul was responsible for leading the commercial development and partnering of therapeutic medicines at Evolutec Plc and for partnering Avidex Ltd’s (Medigene’s) cancer and inflammatory therapies and therapeutic discovery platform. At Cancer Research Technology (CRT) he was instrumental in forming a joint venture company - Cancer Therapeutics Limited, with Antisoma plc to develop a late stage cancer therapy, commercialising CRTs portfolio based around the Muc-1 cancer antigen and executing numerous licence transactions. In his early career Paul worked on cancer diagnostics at Zeneca Diagnostics, undertook vaccine research and development at Pierre Fabre Medicament and was part of a small molecule drug discovery team at Astra Zeneca.  Paul has an honours degree from Warwick University, a PhD in immunology and an MBA.

Stuart Wilkinson

Stuart gained an M.Eng in Metallurgy and the Science of Materials at the University of Oxford prior to completing a DPhil in Biomaterials for artificial bone materials. During the following three years Stuart was a Knowledge Transfer Enterprise Fellow and then an Advanced Technologies Programme Manager at Oxford University Begbroke Science Park. At Begbroke he developed the interactive tools to explain the key concepts in emerging technologies to a general audience; managed the University's Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) office; and developed the Universities part time post-graduate programme and MSc in Nanotechnology. Stuart joined Isis Innovation's Technology Transfer group in May 2007 and joined Isis Enterprise in August 2010.

Suzanna Wood

Suzanna studied at The University of Surrey in Guildford where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. Subsequently she spent six years at the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton where she studied for a University of London PhD and then worked as a postdoctoral scientist. Suzanna's research was investigating genes encoding Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase, which is involved in the Thymidylate Synthase Cycle and subsequently the role of SYT/SSX gene translocations in Synovial Sarcoma. Suzanna then left academia to pursue a career in sales. She has been involved in sales of a wide range of molecular biology reagents and equipment including products used for microarrays and robotic instruments. More recently Suzanna was employed as the UK Product Manager at MWG Biotech for the oligonucleotide synthesis and DNA sequencing services and then as the key account manager in the UK for Proligo, an oligonucleotide synthesis company. Suzanna joined Isis as a Consultant in May 2005.