PROFESSOR ANDY PORTER
BSc, PhD, FRSE
FORTE • Leading Scientist, Biotechnologist, Spin Out Specialist, Angel Investor
Professor Andy Porter is a leading scientist, entrepreneur, and industry leader specialising in biotechnology and commercial innovation. He is a part-time Professor of Medical Biotechnology and Director of the Scottish Biologics Facility (SBF) at the University of Aberdeen. With a career spanning academia and industry, he is recognised as a spin-out expert, having co-founded multiple successful biotech ventures. His entrepreneurial journey began with Haptogen Ltd, which was acquired by Wyeth/Pfizer in 2007. He was also instrumental in the development of NovaBiotics Ltd, where he served on the board for a decade, contributing to the completion of a Phase 2b clinical trial and securing recognition as EuropaBio’s most innovative SME in 2017. Since 2016, he has been CTO of Elasmogen Ltd, managing IP strategy and financial oversight. In 2020, he became Chair of Roslin Technologies Ltd, driving advancements in animal stem cell platforms for cultured meat. He also holds governance roles at MicroPlate Dx Ltd and NCIMB Ltd, supporting commercialisation and capital raising.
As Director of SBF, he collaborates globally on antibody development for diagnostics and therapeutics while lecturing on Bio-Business and Biologics Drug Discovery at Aberdeen and Glasgow universities. His career achievements include leading commercial teams that have raised substantial venture and city capital, closed global licensing deals, secured significant non-dilutive grant funding, and progressed drug candidates into late-stage clinical trials. Beyond biosciences, he co-founded award-winning cocktail bars, including Orchid, ranked among the world’s top 200. In 2015, he revived Aberdeen’s gin industry with Langstane Liquor Ltd, later expanding into WhiteBox Drinks Ltd, now selling over 1.5 million units in 15 countries. He holds a BSc from the University of St Andrews, a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Reading, and an MSc in Biotech Business from Caledonian Business School. His numerous accolades include the Ernst & Young UK Science and Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award, Fellowships at the Royal Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and multiple industry and innovation awards.
With a career marked by groundbreaking innovation and success, Professor Andy Porter remains remarkably humble, valuing collaboration, mentorship and the shared pursuit of scientific and entrepreneurial excellence.
Professor Andy Porter is a leading scientist, entrepreneur, and industry leader specialising in biotechnology and commercial innovation. He is a part-time Professor of Medical Biotechnology and Director of the Scottish Biologics Facility (SBF) at the University of Aberdeen. With a career spanning academia and industry, he is recognised as a spin-out expert, having co-founded multiple successful biotech ventures. His entrepreneurial journey began with Haptogen Ltd, which was acquired by Wyeth/Pfizer in 2007. He was also instrumental in the development of NovaBiotics Ltd, where he served on the board for a decade, contributing to the completion of a Phase 2b clinical trial and securing recognition as EuropaBio’s most innovative SME in 2017. Since 2016, he has been CTO of Elasmogen Ltd, managing IP strategy and financial oversight. In 2020, he became Chair of Roslin Technologies Ltd, driving advancements in animal stem cell platforms for cultured meat. He also holds governance roles at MicroPlate Dx Ltd and NCIMB Ltd, supporting commercialisation and capital raising.
As Director of SBF, he collaborates globally on antibody development for diagnostics and therapeutics while lecturing on Bio-Business and Biologics Drug Discovery at Aberdeen and Glasgow universities. His career achievements include leading commercial teams that have raised substantial venture and city capital, closed global licensing deals, secured significant non-dilutive grant funding, and progressed drug candidates into late-stage clinical trials. Beyond biosciences, he co-founded award-winning cocktail bars, including Orchid, ranked among the world’s top 200. In 2015, he revived Aberdeen’s gin industry with Langstane Liquor Ltd, later expanding into WhiteBox Drinks Ltd, now selling over 1.5 million units in 15 countries. He holds a BSc from the University of St Andrews, a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Reading, and an MSc in Biotech Business from Caledonian Business School. His numerous accolades include the Ernst & Young UK Science and Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award, Fellowships at the Royal Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and multiple industry and innovation awards.
With a career marked by groundbreaking innovation and success, Professor Andy Porter remains remarkably humble, valuing collaboration, mentorship and the shared pursuit of scientific and entrepreneurial excellence.