Park People: Adam Stoten, Evotec
Published on 26 September 2024
In this month’s Park People, the team speaks to Adam Stoten, Evotec’s Site Head about his contribution to the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine and his current role.
Hi Adam! Please tell us a bit about Evotec…
Evotec is one of the world’s leading drug discovery and development partnership companies, supporting every stage of the drug development process, from initial research and preclinical testing to manufacturing drug product for clinical trials and commercial supply.
Working with over 800 partners, including major pharmaceutical firms, small biotech companies and academic institutions, we help to efficiently and effectively bring new medicines to life.
What inspired you to pursue a career in drug discovery and development?
My journey has always been about connecting academia with industry. I’ve spent the last twenty years at this intersection, translating academic breakthroughs into real-world products, services and companies.
Much of this has been focused on the life sciences and particular new medicines, probably due to a fascination with complex systems that drove me to study biology and then pursue a PhD in immunology. Several years with Oxford University Innovation (Oxford University’s Technology Transfer Office) led to executive and board roles in a range of companies, spanning everything from vaccines, to small molecules therapeutics, to novel drug delivery systems, all with their roots in academic innovation.
What does your role at Evotec involve?
I serve as Evotec’s Site Head at Milton Park and as Senior Vice President in our Academic Partnerships team. In the former capacity, I support a thriving campus of more than 700 people which spans the whole drug discovery, development and manufacturing value chain. My Academic Partnerships role involves creating new partnerships with investors, in which Evotec applies its industrial platforms and expertise to accelerate the creation of robust investment opportunities from early academic therapeutic concepts.
I have the privilege of working with many inspiring innovators, both in Evotec and in our university partners.
Do you have a career highlight?
The standout moment in my career was being involved in the Oxford COVID vaccine story, where I was part of the team that negotiated the licensing and collaboration deal with AstraZeneca on behalf of the university. Playing a small role in helping the vaccine achieve the success that it did, which ultimately saved millions of lives worldwide, was an enormous privilege that continues to inspire me.
What exciting developments are happening at Evotec?
We’re particularly excited about our advancements in manufacturing biological therapies, medicines such as antibodies which are produced by living cells or organisms. Biologics, especially antibodies, include many of today’s best-selling drugs but are often very costly to produce.
To tackle this, we have developed through our Just Evotec Biologics arm a modular, continuous production system, which can significantly reduce the cost of goods. We hope this innovation will make these vital medicines more affordable, with our first manufacturing site up and running in Seattle and another coming online in Toulouse.
What do you enjoy about being located at Milton Park?
Personally, I find Milton Park to be a wonderful place to work. The green spaces make it a pleasant environment and it’s so refreshing to be surrounded with like-minded individuals and occupiers who we can collaborate with. It’s great to be part of a place that values both the natural environment and scientific innovation.
The easy road and rail access is incredibly convenient and being so well connected to both Oxford and London makes it easier to access talent, build partnerships and drive our work forward.
