Viv Lee

Preclinical Scientist @ MeiraGTx

About

I am passionate about developing innovative gene therapies and advanced drug delivery systems for retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. With over 17 years of expertise in ocular neuropharmacology, immunology, and neurology, I bring a deep understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying retinal pathology and neuroinflammation. My experience spans viral and non-viral gene therapy platforms, animal model development, and translational research, with a strong focus on optimizing delivery routes and vector efficacy. Currently, I serve as a Nonclinical Scientist at GE Healthcare, leading global regulatory submissions for molecular imaging agents, including a successful Phase III IND submission to the FDA. Previously, I led preclinical ophthalmology projects at Novartis, where I managed gene therapy programs for ocular diseases and oversaw the development of animal model and drug delivery optimisation. My earlier role at Gyroscope Therapeutics involved advancing AAV gene therapies targeting the complement system in AMD, including the initiation of a novel in-office suprachoroidal injection method. My academic background includes postdoctoral research at the Francis Crick Institute, University College London, and King's College London, where I explored non-viral gene therapies, diabetic retinal inflammation, Type 1 diabetes and inherited retinal diseases. I have worked collaboratively with major pharmaceutical companies including Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffmana-La Roche, and Eisai to accelerate the translation of preclinical findings into clinical candidates. My contributions have been recognized through peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Neurobiology of Aging, American Journal of Pathology, Diabetologia, and Translational Vision Science & Technology, and I have presented my research at international conferences such as ARVO. I actively promote scientific leadership and diversity as a former representative of the Athena Swan scheme and a member of Women in Vision UK. I am committed to scientific excellence and innovation, and I thrive in multidisciplinary environments where I can mentor, learn, and contribute to meaningful therapeutic advances in ocular and neurological health.

Country

United Kingdom

City

London

Industry

Research

Skill

Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Clinical Research, Transfection, RNA Biology, Cell Based Assays, Animal Models, Protein Expression, Cell Culture, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Viral Vectors, Cell Lines, Gene Delivery, Timelines, Oral Communication, Method Development, Ligand Binding, Budgeting, Organization Skills, Grants Management, Grant Coordination

Experience

Preclinical Scientist

MeiraGTx

2025-9 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

To deliver gene supplementation therapy and novel therapeutics for ocular disorders

Non-Clinical Scientist

GE HealthCare

2024-8 - 2025-9 · 1 yr 2 mos

London Area, United Kingdom

Regulatory development for Parkinson’s disease and Cancer molecular imaging agents in to Phase III in US, Europe and China. GLP and GCP training certified. Also obtained PRINCE2 Agile project management foundation certification and revising for practitioner exam.

Senior Scientist

Novartis

2023-1 - 2024-8 · 1 yr 8 mos

London, England, United Kingdom

Bridging the Novartis acquisition, expanding on the work on using gene therapy to treat the broader population of Geography Atrophy secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration patients maintains.

Senior Research Associate at Gyroscope Therapeutics

Gyroscope Therapeutics

2021-5 - 2023-1 · 1 yr 9 mos

London, England, United Kingdom

Preclinical Ophthalmology. Gene Therapy. Geographic Atrophy, Age-related Maculae Degeneration and Stargardt disease. Ocular Pathology. Surgical delivery device for subretinal and suprachoroidal route of administration

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Francis Crick Institute

2020-11 - 2021-5 · 7 mos

London, England, United Kingdom

Non-viral gene therapy for inherited retinal disease such as choroideremia and Usher syndrome

Postdoctoral Research Associate

King's College London

2019-10 - 2020-11 · 1 yr 2 mos

London bridge

King’s Health Partners funding to target extracellular Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT) to treat type 2 diabetes. Project leadership and new research method techniques: Submitted a 3-year project grant to Diabetes UK charity for Diabetic Retinopathy. Home Office license leader for technique competencies. Research involves mouse pancreatic islet isolation, human islet isolation, static glucose stimulation insulin secretion, radioimmunoassay, establishing a primary culture for mouse retinal cells, culturing human ARPE-19 retinal cells.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

UCL

2018-2 - 2018-11 · 10 mos

Institute of neurology

Research focus on collaboration between Eisai on Human iPSC-derived microglial-like cells to target triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. In vitro techniques and other techniques involved: culturing mammalian cells to mature to microglia, ELISA, flow cytometry.

Postdoctoral Researcher

UCL

2013-7 - 2018-2 · 4 yrs 8 mos

Institute of Ophthalmology

University College London, Dept. of Translational Vision Research Since July 2013 Doctor of Philosophy Supervisor: Prof. David Shima and Dr. Richard Foxton Collaboration between GlaxoSmithKline and Hoffman-La Roche on development of therapies for diabetic retinopathy and wet age-related macular degeneration diseases. Post-doctorate representative in the Athena Swan Scheme to engage the institute’s science community in gender equality in the workplace. This involved organising and liaising with many senior principal investigators and the scheme’s committee to host debates on topics associated between career and family life; in academia and industry. Teaching and inspiring young people in years 6-9 to attend highly selective universities with The Brilliant Club Scholars programme. The extra-curriculum course was based on my PhD topic, entitled “Could you design a drug to treat blindness?” One of my student’s final assignment was awarded distinction and was selected and published in The Brilliant Club magazine: The Scholar. Joint first author on a poster presentation at ARVO 2015 conference on “Ocular phenotype of the BTBR ob/ob type II diabetes mice”. UCL and SenSyT symposium best poster prize winner (£100).

PhD Student BBSRC CASE studentship

GSK

2008-9 - 2012-10 · 4 yrs 2 mos

London, United Kingdom

Optimisation and analysis of sustained release drug delivery systems to treat ocular diseases. Joint CASE PhD studentship from GlaxoSmithKline and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Commercial experience: worked in the Ocular Topical Biopharm Research Unit, Stevenage for at least 6 months. Present on a regular basis to stakeholders. Teaching BSc students: day-to-day supervision of two undergraduate student projects, involved communication about complex ideas succinctly, providing advice about presenting and writing their final reports. One project was awarded the departmental Schäfer Prize (£50). Global conference: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting in USA to discuss my findings to worldwide leading peer scientists. Innovative and creative skills were used on my poster presentation and was awarded the Graduate School Conference Fund (£572) and Graduate School Poster Competition runners up (£100). Published article as first author: led to news coverage including The independent, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, BBSRC press release and UCL homepage, Vitamin D rejuvenates aging eyes by reducing inflammation, clearing amyloid beta and improving visual function. Lee V, Rekhi E, Hoh Kam J, Jeffery G. Neurobiology of Aging. 2012 Oct;33 (10):2382-9. 2012 Jan 2. PMID: 22217419.