Board of Directors
Alex founded LIfT in 2016. He is a serial entrepreneur, inventor and conceptual biologist with 20 years’ experience in bringing over 50 novel biopharma therapies to market for leading biopharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Allergan, AbbVie, Amgen, Shire, Takeda, GSK and Sanofi.
Alex Blyth
Founder, CEO & Acting Chairman
Matt considers Cell and Gene therapy to be his favourite piece of technology as it is only relatively recently that biotech and pharma companies have begun to utilise genome, immune system and regenerative abilities in their quests to improve human health and life expectancy. He sees that medicine continues to go beyond drugs in the way they are becoming increasingly tailored, precise and effective.
Matt Pierce
Board Director, Downing Ventures
Patrick is an experienced venture capitalist with a successful background in early-stage biotech companies and licensing deals with public and private companies. Formerly with BioMed Partners and Novartis. Patrick holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Basel and, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen. He also holds a degree as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Patrick Burgermeister
Board Director, Kizoo Technology Ventures
Jonathan Milner was appointed to LIfT's Board as an advisor in 2018, Founder of Abcam plc, Jonathan is an experienced entrepreneur and investor and is passionate about supporting UK life science and high-tech start-ups. He has provided considerable investment and support to over 60 companies and has assisted three technology companies to IPO on the London AIM Stock exchange.
Jonathan Milner
Investor & Board Advisor
With over 20 years of biotech R&D experience building out drug pipelines and helping drive several multi-billion-dollar companies from start-up, Tony is one of Biotech’s most successful leaders. He is the current CEO of Evox Therapeutics Ltd, and was formerly CSO of Ablynx, Moderna Therapeutics, Alnylam and Tolerx Inc.
Antonin de Fougerolles
Investor & Board Advisor
Marco Gottardis has over 30 years of experience as a cancer research investigator in both biotech/large pharma and over 35 of years of experience overall in translational cancer research. Former JANSSEN VP of Oncology and Innovation and an expert in Immuno-Oncology where he licensed technologies and established allogenic cell therapy and ADC platforms. Former discovery and early development lead at BMS Oncology. Co-authored over 100 publications and is co-inventor on multiple patents.
Marco Gottardis
Board Advisor
Amir Hefni is the Global Head for Cell & Gene Therapy and a VP at Novartis. Experienced in developing and commercialising assets, including through alliances/partnerships (AstraZeneca, Exelixis, Pfizer & Otsuka). Former Global Asset Head for Ipsen Oncology. Former BMS US Oncology Lead & Business Unit Head. Dr Hefni holds a BSc and PhD in Immuno-Pharmacology from King’s College London, University of London (UK) and a MBA from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick (UK).
