Our Network of Consultants

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.

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.

Senior technical expertise on antibodies and immunoassays

With a thorough background of molecular cell biology and biochemistry, I have accrued multi-disciplinary knowledge and experience while working in both academic and commercial environments with an emphasis on antibodies and immunoassays. During my CSO appointment at an antibody manufacturer, I have gained global recognition on my knowledge of commercial antibodies and their validation through meetings and publications. During my time involving drugs discovery I have developed several assays and filed for patents. I have tutored and trained assistants to very high standard, and many of them have moved on the career ladder since then. After I have written SOPs in a GLP-audited CRO and many technical and managerial SOPs for a fast-growing research antibody manufacturer, my focus has been on protein biomarkers and antibody validation to industrial standard. This focus led to a thorough understanding of etiologies at protein level and of diagnostics and medical interventions. My understanding of physical, chemical, and pharmacological principles made me ready to move on as an independent consultant to aid antibody manufacturers and in vitro diagnostics industries. My interest in strategic planning has helped me thinking creatively thus providing valuable inspirations to move biotech/pharma companies forward.
Based on the above, I was in the opportunity to set up my own company to introduce a long sought after quality standard for commercial tool antibodies. This concept may ultimately also work for the early discovery of candidate therapeutic antibodies.
My expertise is now available to assist in technical or strategic hurdles when complementary experience is required. When assistance is needed for a start-up or for a well-established company, confidentiality is guaranteed, and NDAs can be exchanged when required.

30+ years of experience in the Life Sciences Industry, with particular expertise in research tools including antibodies, recombinant proteins and associated kits.
I have a PhD in Immunology, and commercial experience at Board level as Site Director, Commercial Director and Chairman. I have worked with family businesses, listed companies and PE backed companies, and have experience of developing companies to successful trade exits. My focus within industry has always been to identify new opportunities with either technology or with customers, and to execute those as quickly and effectively as possible.
Commercially I have gained in depth experience in a range of roles, and can offer advice in Business Development, Strategy, Operational and Technical areas My in-depth experience includes:-

Business Strategy
Reagent in-licensing and out-licensing
Supply agreements
Business development with major IVD and Pharmaceutical customers
Product development
P&L analysis and responsibility
Quality Systems
Developing and leading Commercial Sales and Marketing teams
Operational expertise and commercial reagent manufacturing

Having worked as a product and commercial manager for 18 years within the life science industry, my focus was always to identify cutting edge technology, applications and novel scientific companies, working with them to present their products to the wider research and IVD markets. With a skillset focused on bringing novel technologies to new markets and working to build diverse, integrated portfolios for platforms, my experience, combined with my scientific knowledge, placed me well to work within Mergers & Acquisitions on both buy side and sell side transactions along with strategic pieces.
Specialities: Biotech & Life science Consultancy, specialising in Business Development, strategy and M&A assistance.
Specialises in understanding how the scientific capabilities of companies can be presented to the life science customer base or utilised to build upon strengths of platforms for inorganic expansion.

40 years of experience working in the Research Tools industry, with focus on commercialization of Antibodies, Proteins and Assays. Have founded and ran my own businesses in the RUO area and successfully exited. Have also invested minority stakes in several RUO companies and sat on various Boards as an NED. Previously worked at Serotec for 25 years, then sat on Boards such as Innova Biosciences, Absolute Antibodies, Medix Biochemica, Cellexus & Oxford Expression Technologies.
Experience in setting up and implementing Distribution channels, marketing plans and full business plans. Helped companies exit.
Specialties: Biotech & Lifescience Consultancy, specialising in Business Development and M&A assistance.
Specialises in matching lifescience business partners (finding distributors & OEM Partners)