Consultancy offering services in support of biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, development and commercialisation.

Life Science New Zealand is a unique team of internationally successful consultants dedicated to helping to navigate the complex process of commercialisation. With unparalleled global reach and a shared passion for transforming opportunity into reality, we deliver the commercial support and expertise needed to bring an endeavour in our field to life.We have years of experience and understand that the path from inception to profitable revenue generation is full of pitfalls. We excel at… Show more Life Science New Zealand is a unique team of internationally successful consultants dedicated to helping to navigate the complex process of commercialisation. With unparalleled global reach and a shared passion for transforming opportunity into reality, we deliver the commercial support and expertise needed to bring an endeavour in our field to life.We have years of experience and understand that the path from inception to profitable revenue generation is full of pitfalls. We excel at pre-empting those pitfalls and delivering honest, informed opinions at every stage – smoothing the way from initial research to ultimate success.Please see http://lifescience.co.nz for more details. Show less

Member of the Investment Committee since August 2013.Return On Science is a national research commercialisation programme that delivers new research to market from universities, research institutions, and private companies. The committee connects science and technology with top-tier advice and guidance, strategic management, world leading best practice process, and efficient access to capital. The Biotech Committee represents expertise in drug development, clinical therapy, and medical… Show more Member of the Investment Committee since August 2013.Return On Science is a national research commercialisation programme that delivers new research to market from universities, research institutions, and private companies. The committee connects science and technology with top-tier advice and guidance, strategic management, world leading best practice process, and efficient access to capital. The Biotech Committee represents expertise in drug development, clinical therapy, and medical device technologies and the wider biotechnology space. Show less

Kea Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical research and development company, focused on advancing the development of new non-opioid pain-relief drugs.

Discovered and patented the efficacy of trofinetide in autism-spectrum disorders, and led the preclinical development of this novel drug, which was approved by the FDA in 2023.Responsible for all preclinical research and development programs, enabling Phase I to Phase III clinical trials in the areas of brain injury and autism-spectrum disorders. Managed research projects, GLP safety pharmacology and toxicology, GMP drug substance manufacture, preclinical CRO relationships, IB, IND… Show more Discovered and patented the efficacy of trofinetide in autism-spectrum disorders, and led the preclinical development of this novel drug, which was approved by the FDA in 2023.Responsible for all preclinical research and development programs, enabling Phase I to Phase III clinical trials in the areas of brain injury and autism-spectrum disorders. Managed research projects, GLP safety pharmacology and toxicology, GMP drug substance manufacture, preclinical CRO relationships, IB, IND and other regulatory submissions as well as long term R&D planning.During my time at Neuren, I discovered that the drug now known as trofinetide was effective in models of Rett Syndrome and Fragile Z, and carried out its development into clinical trials. Trofinetide received FDA approval as a treatment of Rett Syndrome in March 2023. Show less

Managed department comprising 3 research groups: radioligand binding, in vitro functional screening and electrophysiology. Also co-chair of Joint Steering Committee for obesity research program partnered with Roche.

Project Leader for anti-obesity research project, partnered with Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel, Switzerland. Top priority program for both Vernalis and Roche; 30+ scientists on team; delivered lead candidate from initial in vitro screening right through to Phase I clinical trial.

Managed neurochemistry research team, specialising in microdialysis and HPLC detection of neurotransmitters in both contract and novel research.

Studied the effect of amphetamine drug abuse on the long term neurochemistry of the basal ganglia, in the laboratory of Dr Elizabeth Abercrombie.