Independent counsel at the intersection of capital markets and scientific ambition.
Strategic advisory and interim leadership during capital formation, transaction execution, and executive transition across the value chain in life sciences.
MA Oxon · ACMA · Fountainhead Consulting Ltd
Situations
Critical inflection points.
Capital Allocation & Fundraising
Raised $40M+ in seed and Series A funding. Independent assessment of capital strategy, investor positioning, and financing readiness.
Transactions & Licensing
Strategic oversight and operational delivery of in-licensing, out-licensing, and M&A transactions. Experience across major licensing partnerships and post-merger integrations.
Executive Transition & Governance
Interim CEO leadership, board restructuring, and governance alignment during founder transitions, strategic repositioning, and platform evolution.
Approach
How the work gets done.
Judgement
Decisions grounded in commercial reality and capital discipline. Translating complex scientific ambition into executable strategy aligned with investor expectations.
Challenge
Constructive independence. Willingness to surface uncomfortable questions before markets or boards are forced to confront them.
Perspective
Experience spanning McKinsey strategy consulting, Goldman Sachs healthcare equity research, and CFO and CEO execution across biotech ventures — combining financial literacy (ACMA) and expert problem solving (MA Mathematics).
Regular articles published on governance, leadership and more on beardsonbiotech.com
Selected Engagements
Context
Capital-constrained biotechnology platform requiring Series A extension and strategic repositioning.
Mandate
Interim executive leadership and investor strategy redesign.
Actions
Refined capital narrative, restructured governance, led investor discussions, aligned development milestones with financing strategy.
Result
Secured additional funding and positioned platform for next clinical milestone.
Context
International pharmaceutical portfolio requiring integration following multi-market acquisition.
Mandate
Post-merger integration leadership across commercial, regulatory, and operational functions.
Actions
Established integration governance, consolidated product portfolios, aligned reporting structures, and managed cross-border regulatory transitions.
Result
Achieved operational integration within target timeline and stabilised commercial performance.
Context
Innovative therapeutic platform with licensing potential across multiple indications.
Mandate
Strategic positioning and transaction execution for out-licensing partnership.
Actions
Developed licensing strategy, prepared data rooms, led partner negotiations, and structured deal terms aligned with long-term value creation.
Result
Executed licensing agreement with a major pharmaceutical partner on favourable terms.
Background
Executive Leadership & Capital Discipline
Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA). MA in Mathematics, The Queen's College, Oxford. Former Head of European Healthcare Equity Research at Goldman Sachs. Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company. CEO, CFO, and Board leadership roles across biotechnology and specialty pharma companies. Experience spanning global product launches, licensing transactions, and capital raises.
Current
- Interim CEO, Santero Therapeutics
- Chair, PFU Therapeutics
- Non-Executive Chair, AMPLY Discovery
Previous
- CEO, Sutura Therapeutics
- CEO, UTILITY Therapeutics
- CFO & Corporate Development Director, Celixir Plc
- Head of Healthcare Equity Research, Goldman Sachs
- Engagement Manager, McKinsey & Company
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