A Day In The Life Of A CEO At A Start-Up Biotech Company
Jon's career path, beginning with a medical microbiology degree in the UK, took an unexpected turn from "cutting up dead people" to cord blood transplantation. This led to roles at Syngen in California and Invotech, culminating in Jon's current position as CEO of Trenching Biosystems, where they are "developing their own platforms," a testament to a career built on seizing opportunities and ultimately pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions.
Career Development, Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Real-World Examples, Motivational Stories
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jon Ellis
CEO
Start-up Biotech Company
University of Leeds (UK) 2002
N/A
Biology & Related Sciences
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical
Business Strategy
Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Jon's career path highlights a willingness to relocate for opportunities and embrace challenges. He moved across the country for a cord blood transplantation position and later to California for a startup. This proactive approach to career advancement can inspire students to be open to new experiences and locations.
2. Jon's transition from a specialized medical microbiology degree to a career in biotech showcases the versatility of scientific backgrounds. His diverse experiences in the health service, cord blood transplantation, and cell therapy manufacturing demonstrate how a strong foundation in science can lead to various career paths.
3. Jon's entrepreneurial spirit, evident in his decision to become CEO of a startup biotech company, is an important lesson for students interested in innovation. This emphasizes that a career in biotech isn't limited to traditional research roles and includes opportunities for leadership and company building.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path? Please start with your experience in college, and then mention any internships or jobs you've had before your current role.
Unlike many people, I had a general idea of what I wanted to do when I went to college. I attended college in the UK, which differs from the US system. Our undergraduate degrees are more specialized; we don't have electives or major/minor distinctions. You simply study your chosen field.
My degree was in Medical Microbiology. Primarily, I was interested in immunology, but medical microbiology offered an interesting perspective on how the human body interacts with its environment. It seemed like a reasonable starting point, though I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do with it afterward.
I had an interest in cancer research, and at that point, most people dream of working in some form of research. While it didn't quite turn out that way, I'm pleased it didn't. Still, I had a good idea of the direction I wanted to go.
In the UK, if you want to get into a science job, the best place to start is the National Health Service. I suppose the equivalent here would be starting with a major corporation. I began by retrieving cataract tissue from deceased individuals, simply to get my foot in the door. The plan was to move into something more appealing once I found it, which is exactly what happened.
From there, I transitioned into cord blood transplantation. As an interesting side note, during a lunch break, I saw an advertisement for a cord blood transplantation job in London. I was on the other side of the country at the time. With only 15 minutes until the application deadline, I quickly printed the advertisement. For those unfamiliar with fax machines, I faxed my application.
I had an interview a few days later and started the following week. I moved across the country in about a week. This experience truly set my path.
Moving into cord blood transplantation, I developed an interest in cell processing and how cells are manipulated. One of our vendors, a new startup, contacted me and asked if I would consider moving to California to work for Syngen. I joined Syngen in California, and the company was later acquired. A year after that, I joined Invetech to manage their US cell therapy operations.
Invetech is part of a Fortune 500 company. I helped develop technology and systems for commercial-scale cell manufacturing. Last year, I decided it was time for a change. I felt if I wanted to do a particular job, I should do it myself.
So now, I am the CEO of Trenjenz Biosystems, where we will be developing our own platforms.
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