Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Partner operating in the Biotechnology space. If you think a Partner is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Jim Faulkner
Venture Partner of Apple Tree Partners
Jim Faulkner is a venture partner at ATP. A highly experienced biopharmaceutical development leader with specialist skills in gene and cell therapy, he has been significantly involved in taking more than 25 different medicines into the clinic, including multiple CAR-T assets. Most recently, Jim headed Product Delivery for Autolus Ltd, a clinical-stage CAR-T company spun out of University College London. During his tenure, he set up and led a team of over 75 scientists and engineers in the US and UK responsible for process development, technical operations, engineering and supply chain, and he served on the leadership team that took Autolus from start-up to successful IPO in three years. Prior to that, Jim held various leadership roles at GlaxoSmithKline, including overseeing the chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) development and supply of a portfolio of pioneering product types that included gene and cell therapies, oligonucleotides, therapeutic enzymes, and molecular chaperones, and playing a significant role in the successful filing of the first-ever autologous ex vivo gene/cell therapy product license (for Strimvelis™). He started his career at British Biotech, the first biotechnology company to be publicly listed in the UK. Jim earned a BSc in biotechnology from the University of Leeds and completed his PhD in molecular biology at the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research.
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About Apple Tree Partners: Apple Tree Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in pharmaceuticals, biotech, medtech, and healthcare services.
Rajesh Chopra
Venture Partner of Apple Tree Partners
Raj Chopra is a venture partner at ATP. At The Institute of Cancer Research in London, as director of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, he led one of the largest academic drug discovery groups in the world and focused on targeted protein degradation and complex 3D cell culture models. Raj also worked at Celgene from 2009 to 2016 as corporate vice president of Translational and Early Drug Development, leading an international team of more than 100 scientists. Before joining Celgene, he held leadership positions in AstraZeneca’s Oncology Therapeutics group in the UK and US. Raj started his academic career as the director of Hematological Oncology at Christie Hospital and was group leader at the Paterson Institute of Cancer Research, both located in Manchester, UK. He is a non-executive director of Artios Pharma, established to develop a next-generation DNA damage response target pipeline of cancer therapeutics, and co-founder of Monté Rosa Therapeutics, a biotech focused on targeted protein degradation. Raj trained in medicine at University College London, where he earned his PhD in medicine, cell and molecular biology. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London, the Royal College of Pathologists, and the Royal Society of Biology.
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About Apple Tree Partners: Apple Tree Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in pharmaceuticals, biotech, medtech, and healthcare services.
Andrew Bayliffe
Venture Partner of Apple Tree Partners
Andrew Bayliffe is a venture partner at ATP. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, he possesses expertise in the discovery and development of both small molecule and antibody therapeutics across a broad range of diseases areas. Most recently, at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), he served as head of the Fibrosis and Lung Injury Discovery unit at GSK’s R&D headquarters in Stevenage, UK, and held senior roles in antibody discovery and development in the US and UK. Andrew is an honorary professor at the Wolfson Institute of Experimental Medicine at Queens College in Belfast. He completed his undergraduate and PhD studies in pharmacology, physiology, and molecular biology at Manchester University and Leeds University in the UK.
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About Apple Tree Partners: Apple Tree Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in pharmaceuticals, biotech, medtech, and healthcare services.
David Leathers
Special Partner of Abingworth
has over 25 years of life science venture investment experience. His directorships have included GeneMedicine, GenPharm International and Pharming. Before joining Abingworth in 1987 he worked at N M Rothschild& Sons, where he was involved in setting up and managing Biotechnology Investments Limited, whose early-stage venture portfolio included Amgen, Genzyme and Immunex. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1966 and stayed in the profession until he joined the investment division of N M Rothschild & Sons in 1972, becoming a Director of Rothschild Asset Management in 1978. David assists with Abingworth’s investor relations.
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About Abingworth, GenPharm International: Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs.
Kurt von Emster
Managing Partner of Abingworth
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About Abingworth: Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs.
Andrew Sinclair
Partner & Portfolio Manager of Abingworth
Andrew has more than 10 years experience as an analyst in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. He joined Abingworth in 2008 from HSBC Global Markets, where he was Senior Equity Analyst, Director, responsible for investment research in the mid-cap pharmaceutical sector. Previously, Andrew held biotechnology analyst positions at Credit Suisse and SG Cowen. He completed a PhD in Chemistry and Genetic Engineering at the BBSRC Institute of Plant Science, Norwich, and holds a BSc in Microbiology from King’s College London. Andrew qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG. At Abingworth, he evaluates opportunities in public companies and is a fund manager for open market transactions.
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About Abingworth: Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs.
James Abell
Partner and CFO of Abingworth
Jams has more than 14 years of venture capital experience and three years of operational experience in life science companies. His directorships have included Chroma Therapeutics, Clinical Designs and Syntaxin. He joined Abingworth as CFO in 1998, prior to which he was CFO of Prolifix from 1995 to 1998. He trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG. He holds a degree in Biology with Chemistry from the University of Southampton. James handles Abingworth’s finance and administration as well as investment matters, focusing on start-up companies.
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About Abingworth: Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs.
Genghis Lloyd-Harris
Partner of Abingworth
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About Abingworth: Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs.
Sarah Shackelton
Partner, Marketing & Talent of Abingworth
Sarah markets Abingworth to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and expands our network with key industry executives and entrepreneurs. She also works with portfolio companies in building their boards and senior leadership teams. Sarah joined Abingworth in 2004 after managing senior level searches for healthcare and private equity clients, as well as venture capital firms and their portfolio companies, at global executive search firms, including Spencer Stuart. She worked with the pharmaceutical industry as a US trade negotiator and consultant, and with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,in a marketing capacity. She has a BA in International Relations from Pomona College, California, and an MA in Public Affairs from Princeton University
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About Abingworth: Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs.
John Heard
Partner & General Counsel of Abingworth
John has completed more than 100 venture capital financings and exits for life science and technology start-up companies across Europe and in the US. He has also been actively involved in initiatives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of venture capital deal structuring across Europe. John joined Abingworth in 2006 from Intel Capital, the venture capital investment arm of Intel Corporation, where he was European Legal Counsel. Prior to this, John was an Associate at the international financial law practise, Hughes Hubbard & Reed, based in Washington, DC, US, and subsequently in Paris, France. He is a member of the District of Columbia and Maryland State Bars, and has qualified as a UK Solicitor. At Abingworth, John is responsible for deal co-ordination and provides legal assistance to the life sciences and healthcare team in their investment programme.
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About Abingworth: Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs.
Nick Moakes
Managing Partner of Investments and Chief Investment Officer of Wellcome Trust
Nick is directly responsible for Wellcome’s global equity, FX and derivatives exposure, as well as playing a key role in broader investment strategy and management of the Investment Team. He is a member of our Investment Committee. Nick joined Wellcome in 2007 from BlackRock Investment Management where he was Head of the Asia Pacific investment team and co-head of Emerging Markets. He has 27 years’ professional experience in Asia, and 22 years’ experience in global equity markets. He graduated in Modern History and Economics from Balliol College, Oxford, and is a CFA charter holder. Before joining BlackRock in 1997, Nick lived in Hong Kong for nine years. He is a Chinese speaker. He started his career in the Diplomatic Service. Nick is Chair of the Imperial College London Endowment Fund and a Non-Executive Director of the Foreign and Colonial Investment Trust. He’s also a Board Member of the UK Investor Forum, which aims to align the interests of listed companies and long-term shareholders.
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About Wellcome Trust: Wellcome Trust is a medical research charity that funds research that aims to protect and improving human and animal health.
Houman Ashrafian
Managing Partner & Founder of SV Health Investors
Houman Ashrafian is the Managing Partner at SV Health Investors.
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About Catamaran Bio, Cellinta, Enara Bio, Karus Therapeutics, Sitryx Therapeutics, SV Health Investors, Zarodex Therapeutics: SV Health Investors is a Boston-based venture capital firm focused on investments in biotechnology and healthcare industry.
Kate Bingham
Managing Partner of SV Health Investors
Kate Bingham joined SVLS in 1991. Kate currently serves or has served on the boards of companies in the UK, US, Ireland, Sweden and Germany. She has been responsible for past investments in Alantos, Auxilium, ESBATech, EUSA, Hexagen, Kinetix, KuDOS, Leukosite, Mednova, Micromet, PowderMed, RespiVert and current investments including Autifony, Bicycle, Convergence, Oncoethix and TopiVert.
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About SV Health Investors: SV Health Investors is a Boston-based venture capital firm focused on investments in biotechnology and healthcare industry.
Michael Carter
Venture Partner of SV Health Investors
Dr. Michael Carter joined SVLS in 1998 as a Venture Partner. From 1986 to 1998 Michael was on the board of ICI/Zeneca Pharmaceuticals and from 1995 – 1998 was also a board member of Salick Healthcare – a US subsidiary of Zeneca. He was International Marketing Director at ICI/Zeneca Pharmaceuticals; in addition as International Medical Director he was involved in the clinical and commercial development of over 20 new medicines. For 10 years (1986 – 1996) he was a member of the UK Government’s Medicines Commission. He has also worked at Roche Products as Director of the Pharmaceutical Division. Before entering the pharmaceutical industry, Michael practiced as a physician for eleven years. Michael is currently on the boards of GTx Inc, Oxagen / Atopix, Oncoethix, Santarus Inc. and a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Healthcare Royalty Partners. Previously Dr Carter was on the boards of CancerVax, Genosis, Fulcrum, KuDOS, Micromet and Warner Chilcott.
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About OncoEthix, SV Health Investors: SV Health Investors is a Boston-based venture capital firm focused on investments in biotechnology and healthcare industry.
Hamish Cameron
Venture Partner of SV Health Investors
Hamish Cameron is the Operating Partner at SV Health Investors.
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About Janssen Belgium, SV Health Investors, SV Health Investors: SV Health Investors is a Boston-based venture capital firm focused on investments in biotechnology and healthcare industry.
Adam Kundzewicz
Global Head of Strategic Market Access Initiatives and Tech Partnerships of Boehringer Ingelheim
Adam is Head of Pricing and Contracting for UK and Ireland at Boehringer Ingelheim, working across the whole Boehringer Ingelheim prescription medicines portfolio. Before moving to the UK in 2015, Adam was a Senior Global Payer Strategy Manager working in oncology pipeline at Boehringer Ingelheim in Ingelheim, Germany. He was managing global pricing and market access strategies for the oncology portfolio and driving the development of innovative market access approaches and payment schemes. Prior to joining Boehringer Ingelheim Adam worked as a life sciences strategy consultant for IMS Consulting, IBM Watson Health and Simon-Kucher & Partners in Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Romania and The United States. He also worked as a research assistant at Jules Gonin Eye Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland and as a Junior Project Leader at AnalyCen in Poland and Sweden. Adam holds a M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from University of Warsaw, Poland, and a Ph.D. in Neurosciences from University of Geneva, University of Lausanne and EPFL, Switzerland. He has published several articles in international peer reviewed journals, and lectured at international conferences on developmental neuroscience and retinal degeneration.
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About Boehringer Ingelheim: Boehringer Ingelheim is a global group of companies embracing many cultures and diverse societies.
Patrick Round
Venture Partner of Forbion Capital Partners
Before joining NorthSea Therapeutics, Patrick Round was CMO and CEO of Xention Limited which conducted all the development work for Dezima BV which was acquired by Amgen. Before Xention he was Senior Vice President of Development at Cambridge Antibody Technology when it was acquired by Astra Zeneca. He also served as Director of Development at Celltech, Director of Clinical Development at Glaxo Wellcome and started his pharma career as a medical adviser at Novo Nordisk in 1991 in the UK and later in Denmark. He has also worked as CMO for a number of Biotech start-up companies. He received his medical degree from Charing Cross Hospital Medical School in London in 1982, became a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in 1990 and a Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine in 2005
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About Forbion Capital Partners, NorthSea Therapeutics: Forbion Capital Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm for making investments in buyouts.
Laura Fletcher
Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships in Theraputics of Deep Science Ventures
Before joining DSV, Laura was Associate Director of Cancer Research UK’s Commercial Partnerships team, heading the Strategic Alliances function which drives the charity’s strategic drug discovery and platform relationships with a range of commercial partners. Her other experience at CRUK and Cancer Research Technology over 14 years included transacting a wide range of significant licenses, collaboration, and spin-out deals. She holds a 1st class degree in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in cell signaling from the University of Bristol and has additionally worked in academic and commercial research roles in the US and the UK.
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About Deep Science Ventures: DSV is a venture studio and a fund that develops a systematic, optimized approach to science company development and investment.
Jamie Freeman
Corporate Innovation Partner of Horizon Discovery
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About Horizon Discovery: Horizon is a gene editing company that designs & engineers genetically-modified cells, applying them to advance human health.
Jamie Freeman
Corporate Innovation Partner of Horizon Discovery
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About Horizon Discovery: Horizon is a gene editing company that designs & engineers genetically-modified cells, applying them to advance human health.
Sophie Walton
Director Of Strategic Partnerships of Centre for Process Innovation
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About Centre for Process Innovation: The CPI is a technology innovation center helps its clients develop, prove, prototype, and commercialize products and processes.
Neill Moray Mackenzie
Founding Partner and Entrepreneur in Residence of ARGOBIO
Neill Moray Mackenzie is the Founding Partner and Entrepreneur in Residence at ARGOBIO.
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About ARGOBIO: Argobio SAS is a start-up studio for Therapeutics aiming to nurture and launch Biotech companies.
