Christina Coughlin, MD, PhD is the former Chief Executive Officer of CytoImmune Therapeutics. Dr. Coughlin joined CytoImmune from Rubius Therapeutics, Inc. where she served as the Chief Medical Officer and led the clinical development, translational medicine and regulatory efforts in the allogeneic red cell therapy platform. Prior to Rubius, Dr. Coughlin was with Tmunity Therapeutics, Inc., where she served as Chief Medical Officer and was responsible for the development of autologous CAR-T and TCR-T cellular therapies.  Dr. Coughlin served as the Chief Medical Officer for Immunocore, Ltd where she led the development of KimmtrakTM, recently approved for the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma. Dr. Coughlin has held other leadership roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields in her career including Oncology Asset Team Leader at Pfizer and Clinical Program Team Lead at Novartis. Dr. Coughlin is an oncologist and immunologist, having received her M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and completed fellowships in Hematology and Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and in the Translational Research Group under the direction of Carl June, M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania.

Tony joined Avacta from AHR, an international architecture and building consultancy practice, where he has held the role of Finance Director since 2011.Between 2007 and 2011, Tony was the Chief Financial Officer of AIM listed Fusion IP plc, an IP commercialisation company, which was subsequently acquired by IP Group plc in 2014. There, he played a key role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer in growing the business and oversaw all finance activities as well as directly supporting life sciences and health technology companies in Fusion’s portfolio.Tony has also held senior finance roles within Eversheds LLP, KCOM Group Plc, Eldon Electric Ltd and Hickson International Plc.

Craig has over 30 years experience as a CEO, COO or Chair in quoted and privately owned entities. This experience includes the implementation of growth and expansion plans where he has completed multiple transactions and integrated businesses in a career spanning life sciences, SaaS software, technology, manufacturing and distribution businesses.

David brings to Avacta over 25 years international experience in business development, marketing and sales management in the in-vitro diagnostic medical devices industry, having held senior commercial and Board level positions in global corporations, angel and venture capital funded start-ups and a sector specific trade association. Following a 12 year period at Genzyme Corporation where David led the international sales, marketing and business development functions for the Diagnostics Products division, he joined US/Israeli start-up Molecular Detection as Vice President Commercial Operations to lead the commercial development of a molecular diagnostics technology platform applied to the rapid, accurate detection of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Building on his experience supporting the development of early stage businesses and technologies in the in-vitro diagnostics sector, David joined London/Boston-based specialist life sciences consulting firm Alacrita and led the development of their diagnostics consulting practice, providing both strategic and operational support to early-stage diagnostics companies entering new markets. More recently, as Head of International Sales for US-based Asuragen Inc., David led a team developing and delivering the international commercial strategy for a specialised genetic and oncology molecular diagnostic product portfolio. He is currently a Board member for two early-stage diagnostic businesses developing novel point of care diagnostic testing platforms, and has served on the Executive Committee of the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA). David has a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and Microbiology from the University of St. Andrews and a MBA from the Open University Business School.

Anne joined Launch Diagnostics in 2003 as Territory Manager after 3 years’ experience in the commercial sector and has now over 20 years sales experience in the field of in vitro Medical Diagnostics.

Anne is a graduate from both Strathclyde University and Sheffield Hallamshire University and holds a master’s degree in Pathological Sciences. Anne started her career as a Biomedical Scientist specialising in Immunology before moving into the commercial arena.

During her time at Launch Diagnostics Anne has progressed through the Sales Department to take up the position of Sales Director in 2011 and since the launch of ACCUSAY Diagnostics in 2014 Anne has been responsible for leading the Irish business. In April 2023, Anne took up the position of Joint Managing Director for Launch Diagnostics Ltd.

Ian qualified with the Business and Technology Education Council at National Certificate and Higher National Certificate level in Electronic Engineering. He first began his career at De La Rue Systems before moving to Dynatech Laboratories, now called Dynex Technologies Inc.

Ian joined Launch Diagnostics Ltd in 2000 and progressed quickly to the role of Technical Manager. In 2004 he took up the newly created position of Technical Director with a range of responsibilities managing the company’s expanding Technical Department covering the United Kingdom and Ireland and recently France and Benelux territories.

Over his 30-year career history, he has held Technical Management, Research and Development and Director roles which, has given Ian a rare blend of technical expertise and commercial skills suited to business developing within the changing field of Clinical Diagnostics. In April 2023, Ian took up the position of Joint Managing Director for Launch Diagnostics Ltd.

Cathy qualified with a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in France. She started her career in diagnostics at Fast Track Diagnostics, now part of Siemens Healthineers, after her post-doctoral fellowship.

Cathy joined Launch Diagnostics in 2015 as a Marketing Services Specialist and was instrumental in the development of the Launch Diagnostics France SAS business. She quickly progressed as Marketing Services Manager in 2016 and then onto a new role as Senior Marketing and Administration Manager in 2020. Cathy’s strong scientific background and marketing skills have enabled her to continually progress within the company. Cathy held the position of Operation Director before becoming the Managing Director of Launch Diagnostics France SAS in October 2022, leading the French and Belux business.

With more than 10 years of professional experience in the IVD industry, Lena took over the managing director role of the newly founded Launch Diagnostics Deutschland GmbH in April 2024.

Lena completed her PhD in molecular and cell biology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and held a post-doctoral position of the renowned German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg before joining the commercial IVD industry.

With several positions in product management, marketing and sales, she led the global diagnostics business unit of a German-based IVD manufacturer before joining the Avacta Group. Here, in her role as Vice President, she was part of the extended management team and responsible for both, the operational business and the strategic development of the business unit.

Sebastien qualified with a business engineering master at the University of Louvain and 10 years later with a MBA at the Louvain School of Management. He began his career in Consulting, mainly with IMS Health (now IQVIA) and joined Heartbeat Experts (later part of Truven Health, now IBM Watson) as VP Market Access, leading a team of international consultants and running projects around the world.

After 20 years of international consulting in Sales Force Effectiveness and KOL/Market Access Stakeholder management, he moved In 2019 to the Medical Device industry to manage a SME in Infection Control as the CEO of OneLife.

After a couple of years he entered the in-vitro diagnostic industry as Managing Director of Belgian Volition.

Since March 2023, Sebastien took up the position of COO of Coris Bioconcept to lead the business and organisational development including Quality and Regulatory, Production and Administration.