Masterclass - Deborah O'Neill

Part of Entrepreneurship Week 2026 (23-27 Feb) - uod.ac.uk/entweek, #UoDEntWeek26

What It Takes to Build a Biotech: A Founder’s Perspective

Join us for an informal fireside conversation with Deborah O'Neill, Founder and CEO of NovaBiotics, as she shares her entrepreneurial journey from academic research to leading a world-class biotechnology company.

In this masterclass, Deborah will reflect on the realities of building a science-led business - including spotting opportunities, making the leap from researcher to entrepreneur, navigating funding and scale-up, and leading through uncertainty. Drawing on her experience across industry, policy and leadership roles, she’ll offer honest insights into what it really takes to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact.

This session is designed to be interactive and accessible, with plenty of opportunity for questions. Whether you’re curious about entrepreneurship, developing a research-based idea, or building resilience as a founder, this conversation will provide practical takeaways and inspiration for anyone interested in innovation and enterprise.