BioOra brings life-changing cell therapies closer to home
Meet the BioOra Team
"At BioOra we are committed to helping cancer patients. When battling advanced disease, time is precious and every hour counts. That’s why we have optimised every step of the manufacturing process.
Join us in our mission to accelerate the delivery of CAR T-cell therapies"
Andi Grant, CEO
Dr Andi Grant brings an accomplished international, executive career in global pharmaceutical and biotech businesses in UK, Europe, USA, NZ and Asia, responsible for development and commercialisation of medical innovations. Andi’s operational and strategic business experience has been forged through leadership roles at Incyte and Galapagos, both during their early stages of transitioning to fully integrated pharmaceutical companies, as well as CEO and Managing Director of Living Cell Technologies.
Through roles as Public Policy Manager Roche Pharmaceuticals and Market Access Manager of Janssen, Andi has deep experience of enabling patient access to highly innovative medical therapies, including demonstrating cost effectiveness and securing reimbursement of high tech therapies by public payors.
Andi holds a PhD in molecular neurobiology from the University of Cambridge, UK. She is a proud parent of a family of two sons and two daughters, and is a keen sportswoman, particularly enjoying sea swimming, mountain and road biking.
Alexandra Galbon, Head of Operations
Alexandra Galbon brings nearly 10 years of R&D and technical project management experience in new product development across various international chemical and FMCG companies in France, UK, Netherland and New Zealand.
Coming from a chemical engineering background, her experience within innovative groups led her to manage various technical projects from concept to the commercialisation of new products. Alexandra joined BioOra in late 2021 as our first full time employee in her role as Head of Operations, and has managed day-to-day operations of the business with a result and action-oriented mindset. Alexandra’s utmost motivation is to enable the delivery of highly innovative medical therapies to every patient who needs access.
Originally from France, Alexandra settled in New Zealand seven years ago. In her spare time, when she is not hiking and making the most of all outdoor activities New Zealand has to offer, she enjoys dancing salsa or picking up her camera.
Karen Johnston, Senior Project Analyst:
Dr Karen Johnston is a professional project manager who has experience of taking novel drug substances from lab scale through to GMP manufacture.
Having originally studied organic chemistry, Karen gained her PhD in Scotland before moving to New Zealand in 2008 to take up a position as a senior researcher at the Ferrier Research Institute. Over the years she transitioned to the development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals and has spent several years working at GlycoSyn, a business unit of Callaghan Innovation, delivering a diverse range of GMP-grade pharmaceuticals for international clients.
Karen applies her detail-oriented approach and drive to produce high quality products to the delivery of BioOra’s life-saving cancer immunotherapy technology.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys photography and catching up with friends while walking in the hills around Wellington. During the winter months, she likes to spend time snowboarding in the ski fields of New Zealand.
Our Board
Dr Peter Crabtree
Dr Laurence Cooper
Cyrus Mirsaidi
Carl June
More about our board members
Saum Vahdat
John Robson
-
Dr. Crabtree thrives in the complex world of possibilities garnered from combining scientific knowledge and innovation, especially when the outcome leads to a safer, healthier world. As Board Chairman of BioOra, he's integral in leading the team's vision for revolutionary cancer immunotherapies through BioOra's automation of CAR-T cell manufacturing.
Dr. Crabtree brings extensive expertise in science, business and government and strategic innovation. His renown career is punctuated with his leadership roles at the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. As Head of the New Zealand Space Agency, GM of Science Innovation and International Branch, and Chair of New Zealand Covid-19 Vaccines Taskforce, he has been a pivotal driving force for transformational change.
In addition to Board Chair at BioOra, Dr. Crabtree is Managing Partner at Idé Partners, an innovation strategy consulting Firm, and Board Chair at Zenno Astronautics.
-
As a scientist, physician, educator, entrepreneur and c-level executive, Dr. Cooper's experience, and passion for developing life-saving cell and gene therapies and immunotherapy, puts him on the leading edge. He has contributed to the development of pioneering technologies and scientific advancements, nurturing new therapies from research lab to corporate boardroom to patient bedside.
Dr. Cooper is Executive Chairman for Bio4t2, and a board member for Secure Transfusion Services, and CellChorus. Dr. Cooper has an MD in Medicine and a PhD in Immunology from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio.
-
Cyrus provides strategic operating expertise to biotech firms, from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. He leverages his vast knowledge and leadership expertise to guide companies in complex business operations to maximize growth and revenue.
With a robust history of leadership and c-level positions, Cyrus excels at leading corporate teams to successful outcomes. His far-reaching guidance spans a multitude of businesses. Cyrus is Chairman and Managing Partner for BioSelective Capital investments, Advisor for Advent International, Board Advisor for BioDuro-Sundia, and investment Advisor for Bridgewest Ventures. Previously, Cyrus has held executive positions at BioDuro-Sundia, Nichols Institute Diagnostics (a division of Quest Diagnostics), and AltheaDx, a spin-out from Althea Technologies.
-
Saum is CEO of Bridgewest Ventures. He leads investment strategies and incubation programs, bringing together ingenuity, people, and resources to shape innovative concepts into thriving companies. Saum is adept at identifying promising opportunities that feed significant change and lasting impact towards the wellbeing of others.
In addition, Saum fuels entrepreneurism through Bridgewest Ventures News Zealand's partnership with the Government of New Zealand and its Callaghan Innovation Technology Incubator Programme.
Previously, Saum worked with Johnson & Johnson's venture capital platform, assisting with commercialization strategy formation and market research. Saum graduated from Cornell University with an MBA focused on Finance and is an active member of the San Diego Chapter of Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
-
JR is General Manager of Bridgewest Ventures New Zealand. He oversees early-stage tech and life science investments in New Zealand, including pipeline development and business operations. JR works closely with founders and management teams on business plan development and adherence to help them operationalize and scale their companies.
In addition, JR is a board member for several start-ups including life science companies Avasa, Macso, and Precision Chromatography. As a seasoned finance and investment professional, JR and has been involved with tech start-ups in New Zealand since 2008. His expertise includes finance, risk & compliance, business strategy, venture capital, and technology strategy. He is an avid futurist, inspiring others through his work, writings and speaking engagements.
-
Carl June is the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He is currently Director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at the Perelman School of Medicine, and Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania.
Join the team
If you are interested in finding out about career opportunities please contact us.