Matthew Durdy

Chief Executive Officer, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

Matthew Durdy is a biologist, investor, entrepreneur and chief executive officer of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. He is responsible for the development of the business and strategy of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and has been helping with its creation since July 2011. His work allows him to combine three sets of experience: corporate investment banking, new venture and innovation management, and biotechnology leadership, into one passion – creating the environment for, and leading the commercialization of brilliant science into life changing products.

Matthew’s finance career started in US investment banking and progressed to responsibility for new investment due diligence at a $3.5B global private equity and investment business. He developed a skill for managing change in new ventures and moved back into biology with the successful turnaround of Biotec Laboratories in 2001, one of a number of companies in which he profitably invested his own capital.

Through his own consultancy, Aught, Matthew also assists in teaching new venture strategy at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and has, in the past, been an expert advisor on innovation investment to the World Health Organisation, Gates Foundation, and the UK Technology Strategy Board.

Matthew is a fellow of the Chartered Securities Institute and holds a bachelor’s (hons.) in natural science from Christ Church, Oxford and an MBA (High Honors) from the University of Chicago. He is also vice-chair of the medical charity, Parkinsons UK.