A multi-award-winning chief executive from Sheering has been recognised as one of the top 10 leaders in the field of small molecules on the 2022 Medicine Maker Power List.
Professor Claire Thompson, who formed Agility Life Sciences in 2012, was nominated by readers of the publication for making a big impact in the drug-making space.
The aim of the Power List is to bring the talent, passion and experience of these inspirational leaders into the limelight, showcasing the drug development industry’s success stories and recognising the people working hard to improve our world.
Thompson is a former international footballer who has 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, working for large multinationals as well as smaller firms. Agility Life Sciences is a CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organisation), consulting and communications business, which has grown rapidly over the last decade.
She is no stranger to accolades having been the recipient of the inaugural One Nucleus Life Sciences Inspiration of the Year Award as well as achieving recognition from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Enterprising Women.
Thompson is also the Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Cambridge and, amongst her proudest achievements, she founded and fully funds the highly successful Girls In Football Teams (GIFT) grants scheme, which supports more than 30 girls’ and women’s grassroots football teams across the UK.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, she opened a formulation development facility in the middle of the pandemic. Since then, the facility in Nottingham has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a team of eight scientists across four laboratories.
“I am thrilled to be the recipient of such a prestigious award, which aims to recognise inspirational leaders in the field of drug development,” said Thompson.
“When I look at how much we have achieved as a team since Agility was founded 10 years ago, and especially in terms of the facility over the last couple of years, it reinforces my belief that you should never let a crisis go to waste.
“My team is instrumental in my success as a CEO. With the right people around you, you can truly achieve anything.”
