19) David Owen - Bridging Basic Research and Pharmaceutical Innovation

David Owen (EMBLEM Vice Chair, 2000-2021) chats with Thomas Vaccari (EMBL Predoctoral Fellow 1999-2004). David discusses his career phases from a PhD in pharmacology to eventually joining the pharmaceutical industry. He emphasises the challenges and rewards of transitioning from academia to industry and the impact of technology transfer on basic research. He also touches on his role in establishing EMBLEM.This conversation was recorded in July 2025.Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of EMBL or any other party. The mere appearance of content on EMBL Alumni media accounts does not constitute an endorsement by EMBL.Production and Editing: EMBL Alumni Relations Content and Interviews: Angus Lamond and Thomas Vaccari Music: Eco Technology by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay Thanks to: EMBL Audiovisual and EMBL Design Sponsored by: EMBLEM © European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)