Our Network of Consultants

A PhD consultant in the biotechnology and life sciences industry with over 17 years of experience working internationally. Specializing in customer insights, market-driven product development and strategic marketing, with expertise in genomic medicine, gene therapy, cell therapy, nanomedicine, NGS, molecular diagnostics, oncology, and more. Held leadership positions in biotech and life sciences companies in Canada, US and UK, including Abcam, STEMCELL Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cytiva/Danaher.

I have a a D.Phil. in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford with first author publication in Nature Immunology; an MSc from University of Toronto and a BSc (Honours) from University of British Columbia.

Consulting Services include:
Voice of Customer/Customer Insights
Market Driven Product Requirements
Value Propositions and Product Positioning
Product-Market fit
Competitor Landscape Assessments
Pricing Strategies
Go to Market Strategies

With over a decade's experience in Life Sciences, Biotechnology Commercialization and Law, I have developed a broad scope of skills in various fields, ranging from sales and marketing, to regulatory and logistic affairs. During my time as business developer, I assisted companies in establishing global distribution networks, raised global awareness through marketing campaigns, and increased sales revenue three-fold within 18 months. I have substantial experience in biotech commercialization and have successfully overseen the commercial release of more than 80 products into the global market.

I specialize in assisting companies to develop and expand their business in South Africa and other African countries. This process entails the development and implementation of a commercial strategy that is tailored for the specific territory of interest, as well as the establishment of customer and distributor networks, and guidance as to regulatory compliance and logistic considerations. I have an aptitude for relationship building, strategic planning and target customer profiling, which forms the foundation of my business development capabilities.

I own a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology and have accumulated more than 12 years of industry experience. Having worked in different life science industries spanning from biotech to animal feed legislation. My main experience is the start-up culture and this is what I am mostly interested about and where I see the greatest fit with my consultancy proposition. My aim is to use my expertise and professional network to support the product development and marketing in small to medium sized life science companies with scientific services such as data analysis, scientific writing and competitive research. I follow a pragmatic approach combining hands-on work and strategic impulses. I am passionate about science and innovation and always eager to learn and being surprised by the multitude of outstanding ideas in the life science sector.
My positions were:
- PhD student (flow cytometry, cell culture, infection biology, confocal microscopy)
- Postdoc (flow cytometry, infection biology)
- Project manager at Mologen AG (preclinical safety studies of a DNA vaccine, developing new concepts for platform technology)
- Manager Scientific Cooperation at Zaluvida Corporate (innovation management, scientific expertise for CSO)
- Director Scientific Affairs at Mootral SA (R&D in animal feed, stakeholder management, competitor watch, scientific communication)
- Scientist at Federal Institute for Risk assessment (safety of feed additives, scientific writing)

With more than 10 years of R&D experience in biochemistry and infection biology, I am a Senior Scientist for Surface Chemistry in Biotechnology at e-Proteins, the world leader in avidin derivatives production. I have been applying my expertise and skills to develop innovative binding protein solutions for diagnostic, biotech, and pharma industries, addressing the main challenges of streptavidin-based applications.

As a team leader and co-founder of Sapoto, I have also been managing and coordinating a team of 30 employees, integrating external service providers, and overseeing the quality management activities for other test centers. I hold the credentials of QMB Manager and Internal Auditor, which enable me to ensure compliance with GMP, GLP, and GCP standards. My mission is to contribute to the advancement of biotechnology and improve the quality and reliability of binding protein products.

A distinguished life science professional with over 33 years of extensive experience in research, leadership, and innovation, adeptly navigating the complexities of the biotech and life science sectors as the founder of LMF Biosciences and currently holding key executive positions at Biosensis Pty. Limited, Symansis Limited, as well as previous roles at EMD-Millipore and Chemicon. I have demonstrated exceptional prowess in driving organizational growth, developing strategic partnerships, and leading high-impact projects across various scientific disciplines from Cell Biology and Neuroscience to Molecular Biology, Cancer, and Metabolic Disease.
My career is highlighted by significant contributions to technical and customer service excellence, playing a pivotal role in the success of major companies like Millipore and Chemicon International. My expertise encompasses a wide range of technical skills, from the basics of immunohistochemistry and western blot, DNA/RNA manipulation, molecular cloning, and PCR to a comprehensive knowledge of cell culture techniques and protein analysis, making me a respected educator and trainer in the life science community.

With a solid track record of leading multi-person teams and directing technical service organizations, I have consistently delivered world-class service, support, and scientific assistance crucial to business success in the life science reagents sector. My strategic vision and innovative approach have been instrumental in product development, customer engagement, and identifying future growth areas, enabling companies to better anticipate and meet the diverse needs of their customers.

Beyond technical expertise, my leadership roles have showcased my ability to effectively manage and expand life science markets, achieving and surpassing sales targets while fostering sustainable growth. My entrepreneurial spirit, scientific understanding, and business insight make me an invaluable asset to any organization aiming to excel in the competitive biotech and life science research reagents landscape.

In summary, I offer a unique blend of scientific excellence, strategic business management, and visionary leadership, making me an ideal candidate for roles that demand depth of knowledge, innovative thinking, and a proven track record of success in the life sciences sector.

I consider myself an "all-rounder," but as a consultant, I focus on helping clients with their marketing, bringing my experience from the last 25 years working in a range of commercial roles at top life science companies. After a Ph.D. and post-docs, I started my first non-lab role in tech support, then developed my business skills in sales and business development before progressing to senior management positions in marketing, product management, and business unit management, where I founded and led international teams.

I've worked with commercial and technical teams at >200 life science companies - distributors, manufacturers, and OEM resellers in public companies, private companies, and startups. As a consultant, I take on a range of commercial projects, mainly in the marketing/product management realm, specializing in writing engaging content to attract and convert customers, including websites and sales tools.

Our consultants have extensive experience of working within start-up and small company environments and have developed their skills and expertise across a variety of disciplines within the IVD industry including, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, design and development, innovation, manufacturing and Notified Body lead auditing.

Our credentials include the preparation and management of international regulatory submissions, QMS implementation and maintenance in compliance with global regulatory requirements and the successful development and commercialisation of IVD products within entrepreneurial settings.

Noteworthy former senior leadership roles within pioneering IVD companies include Head of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, Chief Technology Officer, Head of Site and Director of Innovation and New Technologies.

We offer a range of pragmatic, flexible and customised consulting and training services covering regulatory, quality, product development and innovation to support our clients from product concept to commercialisation and beyond. These include:
• Person Responsible for Regulatory Compliance (PRCC).
• Product classification and regulatory strategy.
• Performance evaluation planning and reporting, including scientific validity, analytical performance and clinical performance.
• Risk management (ISO 14971).
• Preparation of regulatory submissions in compliance with the UK MDR, EU IVDR and other global regulations.
• Technical documentation review and remediation.
• Review of marketing, product packaging, labelling and instructions for use to ensure compliance with global requirements.
• Post-market surveillance and vigilance guidance.
• Gap analysis.
• Identification of applicable standards.
• QMS implementation, remediation and maintenance in conformity with ISO 13485, MDSAP and other global requirements.
• Quality planning guidance, including quality objectives and management of changes to the QMS.
• Quality impact assessment of design and development activities.
• Manufacturing and QC documentation guidance.
• Supplier control, including the control of critical outsourced processes.
• Equipment and QMS software validation guidance.
• Control of nonconformities, including root cause analysis, corrective action and preventive action.
• Management review.
• Internal auditing and gap analysis.
• Innovation input to new product concepts.
• Evaluation of novel technologies for IVD applications.