Empowering Women in Biotech: Inspiration travels north of the border

Bionow’s Empowering Women in Biotech series was in Scotland for the first time to kickstart 2026, kindly co-hosted by Pioneer Group at their BioCity Glasgow facility.

Opening the event, Dr Poonam Malik delivered a compelling keynote, From Discovery to Deployment: ​Turning Scotland’s Biotech Excellence into Delivering Economic Gains ​and Driving Global Impact​.

She explored the ambitious trajectory of Scotland’s life sciences sector, noting that the sector currently accounts for an annual turnover of £10.5 billion and 46,000 jobs, with a strategic goal to reach a £25 billion economy by 2035. Dr. Malik emphasised the "Scientific Translation Gap," noting that while Scotland has a rich history of brilliance, from Dolly the sheep to successful university spinouts, scientific excellence alone does not guarantee the scale needed for global impact.

Addressing the transition from startups to scale-ups, the keynote identified a shift of focus from ideas and innovation toward execution, discipline and global market access. A critical component of this evolution involves bridging the investment gap and overcoming investor barriers particularly faced by women-founded companies. Guided by the principle that global ambition does not require a local departure, to ensure future success in biotech and medtech, the industry must prioritise securing capital and lab space while addressing the talent gap. A major focus was placed on increasing women’s representation in leadership by engaging men in the effort to dismantle systemic barriers and create more inclusive pathways to decision-making positions.

By turning excellence into deployment, the vision for the Scottish life sciences ecosystem in 2035 and beyond aims for over £100 billion in economic GDP alongside significant health gains.

The focus of the day then shifted to authentic career journeys, including a panel discussion sharing candid stories of setbacks, comebacks and redefining what success means at different life stages, followed by three compelling speakers sharing their career paths so far. 

Maryori Jardim, Account Manager at Sampled, shared a moving account of her career journey as an immigrant and mother. She spoke candidly about overcoming self-doubt and the pivotal role that inclusive, supportive leadership played in helping her embrace new challenges. Her story served as a powerful testament to achieving professional growth and personal success without compromising one's identity.

Dr Zandile Nare of Concept Life Sciences traced her journey from academia to the CRO sector, highlighting the vital roles of curiosity and interpersonal relationships. She offered candid reflections on overcoming imposter syndrome and the importance of setting boundaries, ultimately encouraging attendees to prioritise relationship-building to sustain long-term professional growth.

Finally, reflecting on her journey to find her calling, Ella Paul shared how her path shifted from veterinary aspirations to her current final-year Biochemistry MBio at the University of Warwick. Currently on an analytical placement with CPI, she drew on her interdisciplinary background to highlight the immense value of early industry experience. Her insights underscored the transformative power of collaborative innovation within the biologics sector.

The event culminated with an interactive “Passing the Torch” workshop designed to foster mentorship and peer-to-peer support within the life sciences community.  Pioneer Group Associate Harriet Lester and Director Fiona Nielsen facilitated discussions through case studies ranging from recent graduates to department heads, illustrating how to cultivate a supportive environment for each other from landing a first role to navigating more advanced career choices. Attendees were encouraged to select a Mentor or Mentee sticker to "grow their ecosystem" and continue collaborative discussions during lunch and networking.

Commenting on the success of the day, Bionow’s Executive Director of Business Development, Stella James, said: “It was wonderful to see so many industry colleagues at BioCity Glasgow for our very first Empowering Women in Biotech session in Scotland. This initiative is all about providing a supportive platform for women at every career stage to connect and share their journeys. The energy in the room was fantastic, and it’s clear that by fostering these local connections, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive future for the entire life sciences sector.”

The sponsors for this Empowering Women in Biotech event were Pioneer Group and Equans Sci-Tech.