“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.”
— C.S. Lewis

Biotech Executive Leader and entrepreneur, Scientist, Pediatrician and Child Activist. With a long career devoted to well-being of children, I focus my efforts on innovative therapies, medicines development and advocacy for families affected by chronic and severe illness.

 

Professional Background

I specialize in the areas of gene therapies, genetic medicines and orphan diseases. My experience and achievements cover the entire spectrum of international drug development, including discovery, pre-clinical science, Phase I–IV clinical trials, regulatory filing/approval and commercial application. Specific areas of therapeutic expertise include neurology and diseases of the brain, neuromuscular disease, metabolic medicine, endocrinology, immunology, cardiology, hepatic disease, osteology and genetics.

I currently do not have capacity to take on new clients

 

Career Highlights

Audentes Therapeutics - Chief Medical Officer and SVP

  • Led the XLMTM AAV8 gene therapy clinical development program through its early phase, with specific oversight of the translation of pre-clinical work into patients; dosing of the first group of patients; and initial presentations of data to investor and scientific communities.

  • Key member of the company’s executive leadership team; helped lead the Initial Public Offering and grow the organization to over 250 employees.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical - Sr Group Medical Director, Clinical Development

  • Directed the implementation and medical leadership of the registration-enabling Phase III studies for Pegvaliase® for PKU, and the Phase II/III program for Vosoritide® for achondroplasia.

Genzyme Corporation - Global Medical Director, Personalized Genetic Health

  • Led development of Phase III–IV Global Registry program, building the infrastructure and providing medical oversight. Resulted in several FDA and EMA regulatory commitments being met and publication of the first scientific papers from the registry.

  • Led the strategic design and execution of the medical plans for the Lysosomal Storage Disorders portfolio of products in the UK

Taysha Gene Therapies - Head of R and D and Chief Medical Officer

  • Led the R and D efforts for a platform of Gene Therapies targeted to the brain, moving through preclinical development, regulatory interaction and into the clinic.

  • Key member of executive leadership, and instrumental in early private financings and growth of the company through Initial Public Offering and beyond

Eli Lilly and Company - Senior Clinical Research Physician, Neurosciences

  • Provided medical leadership for the UK launch of Strattera© (Atomoxetine) a CNS compound for the neuro-developmental pediatric disorder ADHD. This included the design, implementation, analysis and publication of a 20-site Phase IIIb pediatric comparator ADHD study. This was the largest such study in the UK, for which I received the Outstanding Contribution Award from Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians.

Clinical Work - Pediatric Fellow and Resident

  • Sub-specialty focus on Pediatric Intensive Care at internationally recognized Pediatric Centers of Excellence, including Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital (UK) and Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children (Sydney, Australia).

 Education and Certification

  • Medical degree from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, with commendations for Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Medical Ethics (MBBS).

  • Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom (DPM).

  • Masters of Translational Science degree (with distinction) from Kings College, London (MSc)

  • UK board-certified physician, and member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) and the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH). 

Honors and Awards

  • Elected to Fellowship of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (FFPM), the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), The Royal Society for the Arts (FRSA), the Academy of Physicians in Clinical Research (FAPCR), and the Global Academy of Medicines Development Professionals (GFMD)

  • UK Royal College of Physicians Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine Outstanding Contribution Award

  • Eli Lilly European Medical Commendation Award for design, development and leadership of a Pediatric study

  • Communiqué Team award for Best Pharmaceutical Media Relations Campaign for UK launch of Strattera for Pediatric ADHD

  • Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Margaret Jackson Memorial Prize

  • University of Newcastle Medical School awards:

    • Farquahar Murray Prize for Obstetrics and Gynecology

    • Medical Defense Union Prize for Medical Ethics

    • Gerald Neligan Prize for Pediatrics