Professor Sir Christopher Evans OBE
CSci CChem FRSC
Sir Chris Evans is regarded as one of Europe’s leading biotechnology entrepreneurs with a proven track record of establishing successful, high quality science companies. In 1996 Sir Christopher founded Merlin Biosciences – currently one of the largest specialist biomedical venture capital and advisory firms in Europe.
Sir Christopher’s first degree, a BSc in Microbiology from Imperial College, was followed by a PhD in Biochemistry and Research Fellowships in Molecular Biology. He has held senior research scientist positions with a number of North American bioscience companies. In 2005 he created the Stem Cell Foundation.
Prof Evans says “I become a member of professional bodies usually because I’m asked to lend my name and reputation to support a body that stands for something important. So I only become a member of something if I think it is a worthwhile institution doing good for others even if it does little for me personally. Various people asked me to become a CSci as I obviously represent a lot of British science when I go about my daily business, which is investing in medical science. I know many Chartered Scientists, and CSci is a useful badge of quality amongst the thousands of scientists I come across each year in the biomedical sector. I feel CSci is particularly relevant to my work area because, as Chairman of one of Europe’s largest biomedical investors I am responsible for picking high quality (albeit risky) projects to back and nurture to develop commercially useful products.”
“The most fulfilling part of my job is when we get things spot on! When our money and management input helps build a significant new scientific enterprise that succeeds with its products and so improves the quality of human life. As a consequence we are then able to make useful capital returns for our investors. Scientific issues of most concern to me are those surrounding new medical breakthroughs such as stem cells and gene medicines. Too much regulation and too many short-sighted naysayers get involved to curb the pace of responsible development of such areas. I’ve always adopted the often controversial approach of sticking my head out of the trench on such issues and getting on with what needs to be done – often with considerable opposition”.