Darrin Disley: Footballer to PhD to CEO

The Big Experiment

What are the biggest challenges facing scientific innovation?
The path from science ideation to business execution is not an easy one. You will eventually need to translate great ideas into well-positioned products or services, and bring investment into the business from what can be a complex ecosystem of stakeholders.
Knowing how to overcome these challenges is key to any innovation’s success.
In this episode I am joined by Dr Darrin Disley OBE. Darrin is a seasoned veteran of UK life sciences. He is currently CEO and investor in Mogrify Ltd, a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of in vivo reprogramming therapies that address chronic diseases of ageing, using a systematic direct cell conversion and maintenance platform powered by big-data.
Before Mogrify, Darrin was CEO of Horizon Discovery, a discovery tools specialist, growing the company very quickly from start-up to UK AIM-listed PLC . We discuss his career journey, from school in London’s East End through life as a semi-professional footballer to how he became a successful, multi award-winning entrepreneur. He also discusses the challenges faced in commercialising scientific innovation and how to grow a business in the biotech industry.
This is a fascinating masterclass for any aspiring entrepreneur, or anyone with an unconventional start to their scientific career. Darrin proves that whatever your starting point, with application (and some good fortune along the way) you can achieve your dreams.
You’ll hear about:
01:30 – Darren’s nonlinear journey of self-discovery

05:07 – Darren’s life as a semi-pro footballer

08:55 – Darren on being inspired by his teacher

14:59 – From a PhD to entrepreneurship

21:20 - Technology and drug discovery

24:59 - Challenges in commercialising scientific innovation

30:56 – Growth in the biotech industry

41:13 - Building a successful biotech company

48:42 – Challenges faced in public markets

Follow Darrin:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrinmdisley/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/DarrinMDisley

Mogrify - https://mogrify.co.uk/
Connect with Me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/
Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/

Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/

Bab

1. Darren’s nonlinear journey of self-discovery (00:01:30)

2. Darren’s life as a semi-pro footballer (00:05:07)

3. Darren on being inspired by his teacher (00:08:55)

4. From a PhD to entrepreneurship (00:14:59)

5. Technology and drug discovery (00:21:20)

6. Challenges in commercialising scientific innovation (00:24:59)

7. Growth in the biotech industry (00:30:56)

8. Building a successful biotech company (00:41:13)

9. Challenges faced in public markets (00:48:42)