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The Business of Biotechnology
William Bains and Chris Evans
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| William Bains |
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After a PhD at Warwick and Postdoc at Stanford, California, William held a lectureship at University of Bath, researching inter alia genomics and bioinformatics technologies and what is now called 'functional genomics'. In 1988 he joined a technology consultancy, developing new life-science based technologies such as sequencing by hybridization (which he co-invented), and evaluating new technology opportunities in biotech and parmaceuticals. In October 1996 he joined Merlin Ventures to head the science team co-founding and funding new bioscience companies in the UK. The science team was responsible for identifying the core science, planning how it is to be developed, and providing interim management as the company grew, for eight start-up companies in areas as diverse as CNS gene therapy and domestic baby monitors. In 1999 William was the co-founder of Amedis Pharmaceuticals Ltd with Prof. John Caldwell (Imperial College). Amedis is developing new chemical and computational technologies to improve the success rate in development of new medicines. In May 2001 Amedis completed its first venture funding round. William's expertise has been recognised with the Toshiba Year of Invention prize in 1992, election to the Human Genome Organisation in 1994, and appointment as a visiting Professor at Imperial College, London in 1999. He is author of numerous papers, patents, and three books.
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| Chris Evans |
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Professor Sir Christopher Evans co-founded Merlin Biosciences in 1996. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful biotechnology entrepreneurs in the UK and is a leading authority in the sector with over 100 first-class publications and patents. Sir Christopher has founded a number of high-technology companies, three of which, Chiroscience Group plc (now merged with Celltech and Medeva), Celsis International plc, and Toad plc, are now publicly listed. Sir Christopher was appointed OBE for services to biotechnology in 1995 and has been actively involved in many of the government's biotechnology initiatives. He is also an active member of Technology Foresight, the BioIndustry Association, and holds professorships at Exeter, Liverpool and Manchester Universities where he regularly lectures. He has been awarded three Doctor of Science degrees. In addition, Sir Christopher regularly gives 'informal' lectures to schools, colleges and key regional assemblies to promote awareness of science and the importance of high-technology SMEs for the future of the UK. Sir Christopher was knighted in the New Years Honours List 2001.
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