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BENEZECH -
SIMPSON how to say biotechnology in Europe and around the world |
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Karl Simpson owns the company
here is his short CV
After
12 years academic research in structural biology, Karl Simpson (KS) moved to
the biobusiness sector in 1985,
identifying new trends and technologies with a
potential for realisation as products. KS participated in the start-up
of three
of Europe’s leading biotech companies (Oxford Glycosystems, UK in 1987;
Antisoma, UK in 1991 and
BioInvent, Sweden, 1992). KS was Executive Director of
the European Plasma Products industry Association. KS
has sat on several
boards. He owns IP in oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) licensed to industry majors
(Chiron and
Sanofi-Pasteur). KS’ main focus has been on corporate consulting,
strategy, technology transfer, investment and
deal making throughout the world.
Career Highlights as independent consultant (in reverse chronological order)
Ø
Consultant
to Agendia, Netherlands based oncology company, working on application of RNA
expression profiling to cancer prognosis. KS’ role was to develop new markets
and partners for R&D
collaboration/new business (2006-2007).
Ø
Evaluation
of risk/threat from biological weapons for USA, UK, France and NATO. Worked in
converting military programmes into peaceful applications, in vaccines for
example (1986 to present).
Ø
Advisor
to investment funds for biotech/pharma sector (1996-present)
Ø
Headed
science policy team for Lyon-based BioVision conference (2006-7)
Ø
Government
of Ontario, Canada. Facilitated EU investments into Ontario creating over 2000
jobs in the
life science sector (2001-5). Established EU-Ontario scientific
collaborations and technology
exchanges (2001-7).
Ø
World
Technology Award 2001. KS was finalist in the health and medicine category for
his work on
thermostable Oral Polio Vaccine.
Ø
Phase-1
Molecular Toxicology, Boulder, Colorado and Gent, Belgium. RNA expression profiling
for
toxicogenomic evaluation of drugs. KS led new business development
strategies for successful
European subsidiary. (2000-2002)
Ø
European
Commission. Reviewed Framework Funding Programmes for life science research.
Report
had major impact on structure of Framework 6 and 7 programmes in EU
(1999-2002).
Ø
Executive
Director of European Plasma Products Industry Association, Brussels. Role was
to rebuild
staff morale and consumer confidence after HIV contamination debacle
of 1980-90s (1998-9)
Ø
Invest
in France. Developed life science FDI strategy for France. Also worked on FDI
attraction in
other high tech areas (aerospace, nuclear, robotics, IT, 1997-8)
Ø
Corning
Corporation (1997-8) Facilitated internal review of R&D priorities,
culminating in US$400
million commitment to biotech sector.
Ø
For
US government evaluated capabilities of developing nations in vaccines and
biologics (1995-97)
Ø
Identified
rDNA-based in-licensing opportunities for Boehringer Ingelheim’s Vetmedica
1996)
Ø
Establishment
of Malaysian national biotechnology programme (with BioResearch Ireland 1993-6)
Ø
Reviewed
Brazil-Germany biotechnology collaboration for German Federal government (1996)
Ø
Awarded
patent for thermostable OPV 1995 (France initially and global extensions
followed). Licensed
to Sanofi-Pasteur and Chiron. KS also has IP in HIV vaccine
constructs
Ø
Evaluation
of bioscience R&D capacity and IP in Hong Kong and South China (1994)
Ø
Vaccine
IP in-licensing and corporate spin-out plan for vaccine division for Medeva,
UK, (1992-4)
Ø
Consultant
to WHO, Geneva, in Tropical Diseases and Vaccines groups, Member of polio
eradication
committee (1992-7)
Academic research career 1973-85
Ø
Royal
Society award for research into radiation/DNA interactions at Leicester
University. Participated
in school (Oakham School) university collaboration
programme (1981-85)
Ø
European
Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany. Group Leader in
Grenoble,
France, structural biology outstation. Worked on structure of
ribosomes and nucleosomes using neutron
diffraction and deuterium for hydrogen
substitution. Worked in Institut Pasteur. (1977-81)
Ø
Biophysics
Laboratories, Portsmouth Polytechnic, UK. Worked on chromatin structure, using
a variety
of physical and biochemical techniques Registered for PhD (1975-77).
Awarded EMBO Fellowship for
6 month visit to Swiss National Cancer Research
Institute (ISREC) in Lausanne.
Ø
Cytogenetics
laboratory, King’s College Hospital, London, UK. Worked on oncology and birth
defects.
Introduced new advances in chromosome banding and hybridisation
(1973-74).
Education
Ø
King’s
College, London, UK. B.Sc. Hons in biochemistry (1970-1973)
Ø
Portsmouth
Polytechnic, UK. PhD programme (1975-77), left when invited by Sir John Kendrew
to take
up Group Leader role with EMBL
Professional bodies and honours
F.I.Biol. Fellow
of the Institute of Biology (1992)
C.Biol. Chartered
Biologist (1990)
F.W.A.A.S. Fellow,
World Academy of Arts and Sciences (1992)
F.W.T.N. Fellow,
World Technology Network (subsequent to 2001 Award)
Founding
Member, European Technology Transfer Association
ADEBIO Vice
President, Association pour le Developpement des Biotechnologies (1993-2001)
BIA Founding
Member, AABB, Association for the Advancement of British Biotechnology (1987,
which
went on to become BIA in 1992)
MBIM Member.
The British Institute of Management ceased operations in 1997, but before that
it had
been a major resource for management training and development in the UK
Board positions
1988-1991 Director,
Biofocus Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden (HQ, operational) and Amsterdam, The
Netherlands (HQ, legal). Funding body for biotech projects mostly in
the
developing countries.
1988-1991 Director
and CSO, North Atlantic Capital biotechnology fund, London, UK. This fund
raised some
£100
million for early European and US biotech investments.
1992-1999 Director
and CSO, XovaX (vehicle for Medeva vaccine spin-out and subsequently KS’s IP in
HIV
vaccine technologies), London, UK
1998-2000
Executive
Director, EAPPI, Brussels, Belgium and VP, PMG Annapolis, MD, USA (linked).
EAPPI
was the European Association for the Plasma Products Industry. PMG was
the body providing
infrastructure and training to the plasma products industry
world-wide.
1985 to date Owner and
Director, Bénézech-Simpson. Probably Europe’s longest established biotechnology
consulting company with both R&D and strategic activity.
Languages
English Mother
tongue
French Fluent
German Fluent
Plus
notions of other European languages
Skills
Driving licence
Pilot’s licence
Familiarity with MS and MacOS
based computer systems and Office Suite applications
To note
KS is a British and French
national. He currently lives 90Km (55 miles) from Lyon, France. He travels
extensively
throughout the world and at age 55 retains the enthusiasm of his
youth (taking a pilot’s licence at age 54). He and
his family are happy to live
in any business location.
He
is committed to using his skills to establishing advances in science as a
platform for the creation of health, wealth, quality of life
and productivity
for all citizens.