What’s your company’s point of difference?
NeuClone has created a technology which makes copies of biological drugs (or biosimilars) which radically reduces manufacturing cost of these drugs. Heads Over Heels connected me to senior experienced people who immediately understood what I was doing and joined me on the NeuClone journey to share the risks, and the rewards.
What is the single biggest thing that helped you grow?
Signing a 10-product deal with the world’s largest vaccine producer.
Who or what were your “connections for growth”?
Diane Grady introduced me to David Anstice, senior VP, Global Strategy at Merck USA (who is now on my board). Caleena Stilwell introduced me to John Macphillamy, retired CFO and legal counsel at Grant Samuel who is now our CFO and an Executive Director. Hamish Hawthorn introduced Russell Howard, former CEO of Maxigen (nasdaq) who is our Executive Chairman. And finally, but not least, Alex Birell introduced me to Heads Over Heels.
What one thing would you do differently?
I don’t think I would have done anything differently except maybe to have moved to the U.S. in order to grow the business faster.
What advice would you offer the women following you?
– Surround yourself with very smart people.
– Take advice from people who have been there and done it
– Make it exciting – think big
– Work hard, but not crazy
– Delegate
– Learn from setbacks
– Build value
Anything else?
You can build a global business in Australia.