Oxford-based biotechnology company Ochre Bio has appointed Dr. Elaine Sullivan as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, bringing extensive pharmaceutical industry experience to the RNA therapeutics developer focused on chronic liver disease. Sullivan previously served as VP of Global External Research & Development at Eli Lilly, where she managed $100 million of the company's assets, and as VP at AstraZeneca, overseeing global teams.
Strategic Leadership Addition
Sullivan will take a leading role at Ochre Bio, supporting the board and corporate strategy development. Her appointment comes as the company enters what Sullivan describes as "a dynamic moment in its journey." She brings extensive experience in executing worldwide deals and a successful track record in developing novel medicines, having served as Non-Executive Director for several successful biotechnology companies.
"Ochre's approach to liver disease therapeutics is highly innovative and particularly significant as we see levels of chronic liver disease increasing all over the globe and few alternatives to transplant," Sullivan said. "Ochre's work combining AI with human data to discover RNA therapeutics could radically change the future of liver disease medicine, and is exciting for the pharma industry."
Scientific Team Expansion
Alongside Sullivan's appointment, Ochre Bio has expanded its scientific team with two senior hires. Dr. Julian Maller joins as Head of In Silico Biology, bringing 15 years of experience in computational biology and genomics to strengthen target discovery and validation capabilities. Dr. Sarah Batey becomes Head of Portfolio Development & Scientific Operations, contributing deep experience in advancing drug candidates to clinical trials.
Technology Platform and Partnerships
Ochre Bio's proprietary discovery platform combines machine learning and big human datasets with in-house RNA chemistry and testing in live human donor livers. The company's approach utilizes human data-driven platforms and ex vivo liver models to develop RNA therapeutics for under-treated chronic liver diseases.
Quin Wills, co-founder and CSO of Ochre Bio, emphasized the strategic value of Sullivan's appointment: "Elaine's strategic insight and deep understanding of how to build successful pipelines and biotechnology companies will be invaluable as we continue developing our human data-driven platform and ex vivo liver models. I could not be more excited to welcome Elaine to the next phase of Ochre's ambitions – to progress successful RNA candidates to the clinic."
Global Operations and Industry Partnerships
The company operates across multiple locations including Oxford, New York, and Taipei, with the expanded science and leadership team playing key roles in ongoing research programs. Ochre Bio has established multi-million-pound partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies GSK and Boehringer Ingelheim, positioning the company for continued growth in the RNA therapeutics space.
