Dr Erin Karski is a visionary leader in oncology drug development, bringing over a decade of expertise to her role as Executive Director of Cellular Therapy at AstraZeneca. She leads global clinical programmes focused on advancing cutting-edge cell therapies, with a mission to push the boundaries of treatment and deliver life-changing solutions to patients worldwide.

Erin's career is marked by her leadership in steering complex therapies from early discovery through clinical trials, breaking new ground in the field of oncology. At AstraZeneca, she has spearheaded the rapid development of first-in-class allogeneic and autologous cell therapies, setting new benchmarks for innovation and efficiency.

Before joining AstraZeneca, Erin held senior roles at Allogene Therapeutics and Nektar Therapeutics, where her strategic oversight was crucial in bringing pioneering immunotherapies to the clinic. Her work in early-phase trials has consistently driven progress in treating some of the most challenging cancers. In addition to her industry impact, Erin has made significant contributions to paediatric oncology research at UCSF, leading early-phase trials that have paved the way for novel treatments in childhood cancers. She holds a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Science in Clinical Research from UCSF.

Kathryn Golden is an accomplished CMC executive with a track record of shepherding complex drug candidates from discovery stage to pivotal trials. Kathryn's expertise includes integrated process development, phase-appropriate quality and regulatory coordination, and management of contract manufacturing organisations.

She has been an early employee at six biotechnology start-ups, including Q32 Bio and Codiak BioSciences. Kathryn is particularly passionate about increasing access to transformative therapies, as evidenced in her current role as SVP, Technical Operations and Cell Manufacturing at bit.bio and her co-founding of Sunflower Therapeutics, a start-up utilising yeast manufacturing technologies to provide biologics at point-of-care to underserved populations.

She received her S.B. in Chemical Engineering and M. Eng. in Bioengineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds an M.B.A. from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.

Costanza Emanueli is currently the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Professor and Chair of Cardiovascular Science at the National Heart Lung Institute, Imperial College London. She studied in Italy up to PhD level and additionally trained in the US (USCF and Tufts University) before taking up a faculty position combined with a BHF senior research fellowship at the University of Bristol in 2005. She became Full Professor in Vascular Pathology and Regeneration in 2010 and a BHF Professor in 2015. Within Imperial College, she is co-Director of the recently awarded BHF Centre of Excellence.

Professor Emanueli has received significant funding from national and international agencies over the last 20 years and is a member of various domestic and international grant evaluation committees. She sits on the editorial board of several major scientific journals.

Professor Emanueli develops fundamental and translational research focusing on understanding and addressing the contributary causes of ischemia in the heart and lower limbs. Moreover, this includes investigation of new biomarkers to support the development of clinical studies and improve clinical practice. She has a special interest in noncoding RNAs, extracellular vesicles and the pericardium. The team combines the work on clinical samples, animal models and classic laboratory methods utilising cutting edge technologies, bioinformatics and animal models. She works collaboratively with surgeons, immunologists, electrophysiologists, data scientists and bioengineers.

Michael is a Partner specialising in life sciences investments. Before joining CIC he was a Principal in the Healthcare Practice Area at The Boston Consulting Group. Michael has experience in advising multinational businesses across North America, Europe, India, and Japan.

Prior to BCG, Michael was an Investment Analyst at Oxford Capital Partners. Michael was also co-founder of an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing small molecule drugs that target protein-protein interactions implicated in disease.

Michael earned his DPhil in Zoology in the field of neurobiology from the University of Oxford. He manages CIC's investments in Bicycle Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BCYC), Congenica, Epitopea, Storm Therapeutics and Start Codon. He is also a co-founder of Innovate Cambridge, a locally driven initiative developing an ambitious and inclusive innovation strategy for Greater Cambridge, with the goal of ensuring it remains the leading innovation ecosystem in Europe.

Simon Waddington is Professor of Gene Therapy at University College London. Over the past two decades he has worked on treatments for muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, haemophilia and thalassemia; more recently he and his team have concentrated on therapies for several severe and often fatal genetic diseases which affect young children. He has co-authored more than one hundred and seventy publications and has been principal investigator or co-applicant on grant awards totalling more than fifteen million pounds.

With Professors Ahad Rahim, Manju Kurian and Paul Gissen he has founded a clinical-stage gene therapy company, Bloomsbury Genetic Therapies and is co-inventor of eight patents. He holds an honorary chair at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Jesús has an extensive career in the biopharmaceutical industry both in therapeutic development and CDMO / CRO organisations, with a particularly strong focus on the design and development of transformative cell & gene therapies.

After completing his PhD at the Autonomous University in Madrid, Jesús spent many years in academia as a scientist, including research positions at CBM-CSIC in Madrid and later at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, where he studied the molecular mechanisms of amyloidosis and other degenerative disorders. He then made his transition to the industry as an entrepreneur, having founded two drug discovery start-ups to develop disease-modifying treatments for metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders (Zyentia, Zapaloid).

Jesús has held senior and executive positions in several global organisations dedicated to the development and manufacture of biological therapies (Lonza, Rentschler Biopharma, Horizon Discovery-Revvity), and championed the adoption of novel technologies and development strategies with innovators and regulatory agencies. He has held executive and board member roles in biotherapeutic start-ups and acted as a mentor and coach for new entrepreneurs. Jesús is a jury member at the European Innovation Council’s start-up Accelerator Programme, dedicated to nurturing innovative businesses with the potential to generate a positive societal impact.

Above all, Jesús is a leukaemia survivor, having been diagnosed with ALL in 2022, and undergone diverse treatments for this condition. He actively supports various charities and is passionate about promoting patient equity and engagement in the design and development of effective treatments. He is keen to engage with bold minds to explore vehicles that help realise his vision: Ensuring patients have access to cell & gene therapies that bring about significant improvements in quality of life which are meaningful to patients and their families.

Lee Dunham is Director of Business Development at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, leading its activities partnering with and supporting the next generation of new companies, helping them to bring their life changing therapies and technologies to the world.

Following a PhD and post-doctoral research in molecular and systems biology at the University of Manchester, Lee moved into the commercial side of life sciences. His focus was on identifying innovative research, guiding start-up formation and guiding start up formation and intellectual property exploitation. Consolidating his molecular biology interests and business development experience, his activities at the CGT Catapult have involved the formation of impactful public-private partnerships, securing substantial funding, and advising on commercial strategies.

Ricky Martin, Founder and CEO of Hyper Recruitment Solutions, launched his career in STEM in 2003 and founded HRS in 2012 following his victory on BBC One's The Apprentice. With a background as a biochemist and membership in the Royal Society of Chemistry, Ricky offers extensive expertise in the Life Sciences sector. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping HRS into a leading provider of impactful recruitment solutions that change lives.

In addition to his role at HRS, Ricky serves as a chair for the REC (Recruitment & Employment Confederation) Life Science Committee, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the recruitment industry.