John Robson Appointed as Managing Director of BioOra

We are thrilled to share that BioOra, the New Zealand company accelerating global access to cell therapies, has appointed John Robson as Managing Director.  

During the last 15 months BioOra has secured its internationally recognised GMP license to manufacture CAR T cell therapies, and completed the dosing of patients in a Phase 1 study with its co-development partner the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research.  In the same period, BioOra’s world class team has grown from two to 17 people.    

To build on their success and further accelerate towards global markets John will extend out the Executive Leadership team and enable their current CEO, Dr Andi Grant, to transition to the role of Chief Operating Officer.  Here she will focus on scaling up our manufacturing programme to support Phase II trials in partnership with the Malaghan, as well as managing R&D, regulatory and clinical affairs, people and performance and developing our partnership pipeline.  Andi has been responsible for developing BioOra's operational excellence and innovation since she was appointed last year, and she remains an important and valuable member of the executive team. 

John Robson

John is currently General Manager of Bridgewest Ventures in New Zealand, and has been a supportive and strategic board member of BioOra since its inception. With Dr Grant’s support, he will now take on a more hands-on role in driving the growth and expansion of our company, as we pursue our vision of delivering lifesaving treatments to patients in need.  John will remain as part of the Bridgewest Ventures team, but will be stepping back from many of his obligations to the team to focus on BioOra, as a reflection of the Bridgewest commitment to the business. 

This is an exciting time for BioOra, as they enter a critical phase of growth and prepare to bring products to the market. We are confident that John’s leadership and experience will help them achieve their goals and make a positive impact on the health and well-being of patients; whilst maximising Andi’s leadership directly on the delivery of therapies, utilising her extensive experience to accelerate the delivery of our CAR-T cell programmes. 

Please join us in congratulating John on his new role. We look forward to working closely with him and the rest of the BioOra team as we continue our journey of ensuring cell therapy reaches every patient in need.