Jesus Zurdo
Jesús has an extensive career in the biopharmaceutical industry both in therapeutic development and CDMO / CRO organisations, with a particularly strong focus on the design and development of transformative cell & gene therapies.
After completing his PhD at the Autonomous University in Madrid, Jesús spent many years in academia as a scientist, including research positions at CBM-CSIC in Madrid and later at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, where he studied the molecular mechanisms of amyloidosis and other degenerative disorders. He then made his transition to the industry as an entrepreneur, having founded two drug discovery start-ups to develop disease-modifying treatments for metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders (Zyentia, Zapaloid).
Jesús has held senior and executive positions in several global organisations dedicated to the development and manufacture of biological therapies (Lonza, Rentschler Biopharma, Horizon Discovery-Revvity), and championed the adoption of novel technologies and development strategies with innovators and regulatory agencies. He has held executive and board member roles in biotherapeutic start-ups and acted as a mentor and coach for new entrepreneurs. Jesús is a jury member at the European Innovation Council’s start-up Accelerator Programme, dedicated to nurturing innovative businesses with the potential to generate a positive societal impact.
Above all, Jesús is a leukaemia survivor, having been diagnosed with ALL in 2022, and undergone diverse treatments for this condition. He actively collaborates with various charities and non-for-profit organisations around haematology research, cell and gene therapy adoption and patient engagement. Jesús is especially passionate about patient involvement in the design and development of effective treatments. He is keen to engage with partners and fellow patients to develop better treatments designed with patients that deliver meaningful improvements to quality of life, and that are accessible everywhere and for everyone.



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