Darrin Disley: Footballer to PhD to CEO

18/03/2024 58 min Episodio 1
Darrin Disley: Footballer to PhD to CEO

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Episode Synopsis

What are the biggest challenges facing scientific innovation?The path from science ideation to business execution is not an easy one. You will eventually need to translate great ideas into well-positioned products or services, and bring investment into the business from what can be a complex ecosystem of stakeholders.Knowing how to overcome these challenges is key to any innovation’s success.In this episode I am joined by Dr Darrin Disley OBE. Darrin is a seasoned veteran of UK life sciences. He is currently CEO and investor in Mogrify Ltd, a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of in vivo reprogramming therapies that address chronic diseases of ageing, using a systematic direct cell conversion and maintenance platform powered by big-data.Before Mogrify, Darrin was CEO of Horizon Discovery, a discovery tools specialist, growing the company very quickly from start-up to UK AIM-listed PLC . We discuss his career journey, from school in London’s East End through life as a semi-professional footballer to how he became a successful, multi award-winning entrepreneur. He also discusses the challenges faced in commercialising scientific innovation and how to grow a business in the biotech industry.This is a fascinating masterclass for any aspiring entrepreneur, or anyone with an unconventional start to their scientific career. Darrin proves that whatever your starting point, with application (and some good fortune along the way) you can achieve your dreams.You’ll hear about:01:30 – Darren’s nonlinear journey of self-discovery 05:07 – Darren’s life as a semi-pro footballer08:55 – Darren on being inspired by his teacher14:59 – From a PhD to entrepreneurship21:20 - Technology and drug discovery24:59 - Challenges in commercialising scientific innovation30:56 – Growth in the biotech industry41:13 - Building a successful biotech company48:42 – Challenges faced in public marketsFollow Darrin:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrinmdisley/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/DarrinMDisley Mogrify - https://mogrify.co.uk/ Connect with Me:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/ Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/ Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/ 

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