What is your background prior to this role and how did it prepare you for the work you do now?

I started out in the fast-paced world of bispecific antibody discovery, where I had to juggle up to 20 different activities at once and adapt to constantly shifting targets. More recently, I’ve co-led therapeutic projects, pressure-testing ideas and ensuring we’re always pursuing the most promising paths. I believe in “walking the walk” as a project leader – if I wouldn’t be genuinely excited about an idea, it’s probably not the right one to pursue.

Finally, on a personal note, becoming a mum has profoundly shaped the way I work. It’s taught me to be laser-focused and intentional with my time, making sure that every effort delivers real impact. Ultimately, my journey has equipped me to thrive in a dynamic environment, juggle multiple demands, and bring out the best in the teams I collaborate with. And after all these years, I’m still just as excited about what’s ahead!

What are your biggest long-term goals for five years or 10 years from now?

Our upcoming move to Windlesham will be a huge milestone for our research efforts. A key priority for me is maintaining the same fun, engaging, and authentic culture that we have built here in Slough, and creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work and can be their best selves.

From a scientific perspective, I would like to see one of the projects I’ve worked on progress through to clinic. One of the most fulfilling parts of being with a company long-term is watching a project grow from discovery all the way through to clinical development and, ultimately, launch.

If you could change one thing about the pharma industry, what would it be?

I would say having a greater emphasis on holistic care. Too often, the focus is solely on treating illnesses with medication, rather than considering the whole patient experience – physical health, mental well-being, social interactions, and overall quality of life. I’d love to see a stronger integration of prevention, education, and lifestyle support alongside treatment. 

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed your work or your workplace culture?

There really is no replacement for in-person networking and ideation, and being together allows creative minds to bounce ideas off each other. I had not realised how important it was to even grab lunch in the canteen together and celebrate birthdays, but I very much appreciate this togetherness now.

I cannot remember how we used to work without communication technology like Microsoft Teams. I relish the flexibility these tools offer and the ability to keep in touch more easily when I am away from site.

What do you think pharma will look like in 15 years? 50 years?

I will be honest and say that I have absolutely no idea, but I am super excited to find out! One thing I can say for certain is that the industry will look dramatically different from how it does today. I hope that the industry will have started to deliver curative treatments across a wide range of diseases, for a wide range of populations.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

My supervisor and I had the idea of molecular goggles when I was a molecular biologist, like lab goggles that could zoom in to atomic resolution. They would allow you to watch molecules interact and see why your experiment was not working. 

Using these goggles on patient samples, you could visualise how molecules are changing and how they interact in real time, therefore revolutionising treatment design. If only they were real, maybe I would get a bit closer to working out how life works!

Connect with Laura Starkie on LinkedIn.