Andy Mountain became the Business Engagement Partner for MDS in May 2012. He is responsible for identifying and developing new opportunities and strategies for engagement with business, and leading on developing and coordinating strategic business partnerships.
Andy Mountain had a 10 year academic research career in molecular genetics before moving into the medical biotechnology industry in 1985. He then spent 20 years as a director of research, development and commercialisation in pioneering biotechnology companies, working for Celltech (the UK’s first biotechnology company) and Cobra (the UK’s first gene therapy company). He led many programmes for discovery and development of small molecule, protein and cell therapeutics in several therapeutic areas, especially cancer. Two of the antibody therapeutics programmes he led resulted in significant new drugs reaching the market. He also led on development of new manufacturing systems for antibody therapies in both mammalian cells and bacteria.
In 2008, Andy became Head of Commercial Development for the University, playing a key role in the establishment of Alta Innovations as the University’s technology transfer company and being its Chief Operations Officer until 2012.
He has published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers in the scientific and clinical literature, including comprehensive reviews of gene expression systems, therapeutic antibodies and gene therapy