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Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart is an experienced therapeutics development scientist and pharmacologist. Working within some of the world's leading pharma and academic research establishments she has developed a broad knowledge of drug discovery and the translation of early research innovation into developable drug discovery programs.

Cathy has been with ValiRx Plc since September 2022 when she joined as Interim Chief Scientific Officer. Like the organisation, her role has changed in the last three years to enable the business to successfully develop. We caught up with her to get her view on life at ValiRx and Inaphaea BioLabs.

What is your current role at ValiRx and why the change?

I’m now a Non-Executive Director. I felt that ValiRx would benefit with a full time Head of Research. This was difficult for me as I am committed to my role as Executive Director/ Research Professor at The Milner Therapeutics Institute, University of Cambridge. We were fortunate to recruit Michelle Bernard into this role, and this is making a significant impact to the portfolio.

As an AIM board director, we are responsible for overseeing the running and decision-making of the company and as an ex-CSO I can support Mark and Michelle in scientific decisions. I’m no longer responsible for the day-to-day management, but as a non-Executive Director, I am responsible for company oversight with board and strategic decision-making. I’m also responsible for the Scientific Advisory Board.

You’ve been with ValiRx for 3 years, what changes have you seen within the organisation?

There have been many structural and prioritisation changes. Initially I supported the CEO and was responsible for the portfolio of projects. The company has since matured and focused on developing later stage but still early assets. The portfolio is stronger, and I am hopeful will deliver valuable pre-clinical approaches for clinical development.

What changes have you seen in the drug discovery sector?

The industry is changing rapidly. In the pre-clinical space, the expectation for high quality pre-clinical to clinical assets is high. The data packages need to be comprehensive to be licenced or partnered by pharma.

The impact of AI throughout the phases of discovery and development is starting to illustrate what it can add to the process. However, most applications still require validation. AI is, and will, increasingly be an essential part of the process.

You are also Executive Director of the Milner Therapeutics Institute and Research Professor at Cambridge University; how do you manage your time and your responsibilities?

Careful time management is required to ensure that I meet my commitments to both and deliver on key priorities.

I think the roles complement each other significantly. The Milner is strongly linked to the academic-industry and life sciences ecosystem globally. This understanding of key industry interests and requirements is important to ValiRx which will need to partner with larger companies to take assets to the clinic.

I have a passion to support the translation of early therapeutic innovation to the clinic. This is a complex process which involves many players.

ValiRx is actively moving high-quality early assets through the initial stages of drug development. This plays an important role in the drug development ecosystem.

Inside the evolving world of drug discovery: a conversation with Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart