Andy Osborne, PhD

After completing my PhD at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Neuroscience under the mentorship of Prof. Keith Martin, I specialised in developing translatable therapies for eye diseases, with a focus on gene therapies. Beyond academia, I have played pivotal roles in two gene therapy start-ups. I was Chief Scientist at Quethera, joining within its first year and advancing research through discovery, lead identification, and preclinical testing, before the company was acquired for $100M in 2018 - one of Cambridge Enterprise’s most successful return on investments. I then collaborated with Astellas Pharma to humanise the construct and conduct dose escalation studies across rodent models of glaucoma. In 2018, I was part of the founding team that established Ikarovec, a gene therapy company targeting chronic back-of-the-eye conditions. In the first two years, I co-mentored preliminary research that attracted $3M in seed funding, enabling the company to grow independently from 2020. I served as Head of Biology, recruiting the team, building the lab, and establishing proof-of-concept studies. In 2025, I became Vice President of Preclinical Research, overseeing internal operations, external CRO collaborations, and contributing to company strategy and business development. I have a strong publication record, with data supporting five patents, and hold visiting researcher agreements with the University of East Anglia and the University of Cambridge. I also advise several early-stage biotech start-ups across the East of England and am passionate about mentorship. Personally, I thrive in environments with clear “how” principles, accountability, and collaborative teams. I’m motivated by shared goals, in-person work, and structured planning that benefits the wider team - an approach shaped by my Obliger tendencies with Upholder traits.