Thivyan Thayaparan, PhD, MBA

Global, expanded role and responsibilities starting in 2024, accountable for oncology precision medicine external innovation & strategic partnerships for R&D: scope includes Ph1 - launch biomarkers, companion diagnostics (includes AI-enabled), and clinical pharmacology modelling & simulation across oncology and other disease areas to accelerate innovation with the aim of improving patient outcomes globally.

USA based, global accountability for precision medicine external business strategy & partnerships for oncology biomarker and companion diagnostics development at GSK. Responsibilities include search & evaluation, external business strategy development and oversight for the delivery of experimental medicine and precision medicine strategies to support GSK Oncology R&D pipeline.

Accountable for developing the Translational Research & Disease Characterisation mission and strategy; Accountable for developing and executing external translational research partnerships and strategies, across the Experimental Medicine business to deliver GSK Oncology mission.

Accountable for the identification and assessment of partnership opportunities and external assets to strategically strengthen GSK's pipeline, Key role in evolving the Oncology Cell Therapy strategy, organisation and operations.

Working within matrix teams to develop T-cell therapies into transformational medicines in Oncology.

Specialising in immunotherapy of malignant pleural mesothelioma using CAR T-cells. MPM is currently incurable with median survival of 12 months. As incidence is increasing, new therapeutic approaches are rapidly required to counter this unmet need. CAR T-cells are capable of delivering a tailored T-cell kill signal to specific tumour cells that over-express a desired target (such at Met in this instance). Studies to date have shown very encouraging pre clinical data demonstrating proof of concept within mesothelioma. This study will pave the way for First in Man testing in patients with MPM.

BD Director King’s College London Innovation Forum – (part of the Innovation Forum Group, Cambridge) focused on bridging the gap between Academia and Industry for postgraduate students and Post-Docs to facilitate collaborations and career progression. We have 500+ members at present. - Co-organised and hosted multidisciplinary events attracting 50-150 delegates that connected scientists to industry leaders.

MBA, specialisation in Economics. I am excited to leverage skills developed in strategy, healthcare economics and financial modeling to continue to stay curious and make a meaningful impact to transform the lives of patients in need.

1st MRes rotation, Department of Infection & immunity, King’s College London - Explored the use of toll like receptor (TLR) agonists as adjuvants for tumour immunotherapy 2nd MRes rotation, Department of Haematological Medicine, The Rayne Institute, King's College London - Analysed nuclear actin-binding proteins induced in human T-cells during cell cycle entry - Identified two novel actin-binding proteins as bona fide nuclear actin-binding proteins in human T-cells. - Data generated constitutes the first proteomic analysis of nuclear actin-binding proteins in human T-cells during cycle entry. - This research was incorporated for publication within internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal.