Sam is a proactive and dynamic business development professional with over 17 years’ experience and is part of the team at CPI’s 'Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre' (MMIC). The MMIC is a collaboration between CPI, the University of Strathclyde and founding industry partners GSK and AstraZeneca, with funding provided by Scottish Enterprise and UK Research and Innovation.
 
Sam’s current role involves working with leading bio and pharmaceutical partners to overcome critical challenges around the large-scale synthesis of oligonucleotides (short stretches of synthetic DNA or RNA) and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems that mark a paradigm shift in our ability to effectively treat a wide range of diseases and to protect populations from viruses using the tried and tested 'Grand Challenge’ model.
 
Prior to this, Sam has helped maximise commercial partnerships within CPI’s Biologics and Industrial Biotechnology business units. In addition to this, Sam has held a variety of commercial roles within UK start-ups (including IBEX Innovations Ltd and Nonlinear Dynamics Ltd), where he led the development, project management, marketing and commercialisation of novel X-ray and mass spectrometry diagnostic technologies.
 
Within Liverpool and Newcastle Universities, Sam led, motivated and managed an effective Research and Enterprise team focussed on the commercial development and exploitation of novel scientific discoveries, as well as forging strategic relationships with major industrial partners.
 
Sam holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Auckland, a BSc (Hons) in Biology from Newcastle University and a BTEC HNC in Business and Finance from Northumbria University.