ANN KRAMER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE ELECTROSPINNING COMPANY

First established in 2010 as a spin-out from research undertaken by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), The Electrospinning Company uses technology called electrospinning to design, develop and manufacture biomaterials that are used in tissue regenerative medical devices and drug discovery tools. Ann joined the company as Chief Executive in 2012.

Under her leadership, The Electrospinning Company developed the first electrospun material to be used in a Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medical device and has now been selling this product in the United States for more than two years. The company is based in the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, near Oxford, where the scaffolds are manufactured on site in a purpose-built facility.

Ann graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Natural Sciences and joined ICI Agrochemicals. Over almost 20 years with ICI, Zeneca and Syngenta she gained experience across the business including in research, sales, business development and M&A, with roles in the UK, USA and Switzerland. She managed the development of genetically modified food business streams in fresh produce crops. Since 2006 she has worked in the SME sector in the UK as Head of Business development for Oxitec Ltd (acquired by Intrexon in 2015), Chief Operating Officer of cancer biotech company Immunocore Ltd and Chief Executive Officer of Biosyntha Ltd.

PRIYA MANDE, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, PSIOXUS THERAPEUTICS

Priya Mande has more than 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sector, 12 of which were at Glaxo Wellcome and GlaxoSmithKline where she was Senior Director of Research and Development Business Projects. Priya was the Vaccine Research Project Leader for Influenza at Pfizer before becoming Chief Operating Officer of Hybrid BioSystems in 2009 which then formed PsiOxus Therapeutics in 2010. She joined the PsiOxus Board of Directors in 2016.

PsiOxus works on discovering and developing innovative gene-based immuno-oncology treatments for solid tumours using its proprietary intravenously administered virus platform.

She has overseen the growth of PsiOxus in the UK and USA and held responsibility for various parts of the business including project management, clinical development, regulatory, quality, legal, operations, HR, finance and company secretary. Priya studied Applied Biochemistry at Brunel University London, has a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors and received her MBA with distinction from the London Business School.