Leadership
Causeway has assembled a formidable management team that have strong track records in drug development in companies ranging in size from start-up bio-techs through to large pharma. Significantly our team has specific experience in the development of miRNA therapeutics and world-leading clinical expertise in the investigation of musculoskeletal-soft-tissue disorders.
Dr. Derek S Gilchrist
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Derek is a bio-medical research scientist with 20 years of molecular biology experience. He graduated with a degree in Molecular Biology from University of Glasgow before completing his PhD at the University of Liverpool.
Working at the University of Edinburgh he developed transgenic technologies to study the embryonic origin of the haematopoietic system. Returning to Glasgow he investigated the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
During this time, he discovered the differential targeting of collagen type 1 and 3 by miR-29a. Derek leads the scientific and commercial TenoMiR. Derek graduated from INSEAD’s Entrepreneurs in Clinical Academia Course and MIT’s Entrepreneurship Development Program. Derek has an honorary Senior Lecturer position at the University of Glasgow.
Mr Neal L Millar
Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer
Neal is an Academic Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in shoulder surgery having completed fellowships in Sydney and New York and is an expert in human tendinopathy.
His PhD highlighted the role of inflammation and cytokines in tendon disease and he has secured peer reviewed funding by the Wellcome Trust, Arthritis Research UK, The Scottish Funding Council, Chief Scientific Office Scotland and Scottish Enterprise.
Prof. Declan Doogan
Executive Chairman
Declan has over 30 years of industry experience in both major pharma and biotech. He was the Head of Worldwide Development at Pfizer, where many multi-billion-dollar programs were delivered (e.g., Viagra, Lipitor and Zoloft). He has held a number of executive positions in Pfizer in the US, the UK and Japan. Since leaving Pfizer in 2007 he has been engaged in executive roles in small pharma.
Declan was CMO and acting CEO of Amarin (AMRN: Nasdaq), transforming it from a failing neuroscience company to a vibrant cardiovascular company. He went on to co-found Biohaven (BHVN: NYSE) specialising in neurology and psychiatry. Declan is also an investor in emerging biotechnology and technology companies. He holds a number of board appointments, principally in pharma companies, and has also Visiting Professor at Glasgow University Medical School.
David Armour
Chief Financial Officer
David is an experienced executive having worked at a senior level within the UK business community for nearly 30 years.
He is well respected with a broad network within the UK banking, investment, venture capital and corporate finance communities.
Jonathan Doogan
CHIEF BUSINESS AND STRATEGY OFFICER
Jonathan has over 25 years of industry experience in major pharma, biotech and consulting firms. He was the Head of Innovation & Commercial Excellence at Amgen and Novartis shaping the approach to cross-functional (marketing, medical, market access) launch and commercial excellence supporting major brands like Entresto, Repatha, Cosentyx & Prolia. He has always focused on transitioning organisations from product-centric to patient and customer-centric.
Jonathan was an associate partner at McKinsey & Company in London (2004-2012) where he co-lead the Pharma Marketing practice. The focus of his work for companies like GSK, Viiv Healthcare, Eli Lilly & Celgene was on strategy, innovation and commercial transformation, where he led several multi-year global programs, across Pharma, Vaccines and Consumer Health divisions. He started his career in sales and marketing for Eli Lilly & Pfizer in UK. He holds a Master in Law from the University of Oxford.
Iona Donnelly
Director of clinical trials
Iona has been the Orthopaedic Research Manager at Glasgow Royal Infirmary’s Orthopaedic Research Unit where she managed all the ongoing orthopaedic research studies at the Unit.
Iona liaised with the funders and partners in academia/industry, and regulatory bodies to ensure the smooth progress of trials during their lifecycles and monitored study progress to ameliorate any threats/risks to studies.
Dr. David Ball
CLINICAL LEAD
David is an experienced pharmaceutical medicine physician with a background in orthopaedic surgery, having worked across all phases of clinical drug development in numerous therapeutic areas.
David is an experienced clinical trialist, with a subspecialty focus in musculoskeletal indications.